ANFÄNGE DER STADT- UND STADTNETZENTWICKLUNG IN UNGARN TEIL I.

Abstract

Antecedents of the fast developing urbanization process initiated by Hungarian kings late in the 13th century are guessed from the observation of over hundred existing or documented settlements bearing the word VÁSÁR (market) in their names. Most of them have been denominated after one day of the week, often combined with "hely" (place). e.g. Szombathely ("szombat": saturday). No doubt, these were once places where weekly markets had been held. Their extension depended on the access to the road network and on the relief conditions. Names of settlements were found in the vicinity that referred to handicraft or commerce. Thus, a relatively minor area grouped settlement units forming a kind of urban labour division, entered around the marketplace. In fact they had little relevance already in the development of mediaeval market network but some Hungarian towns still bear names originating therefrom.