This is a map of the cities Buda and Pest created by Georgius Houfnaglius and printed in a book called Civitates Orbis Terrarum (cities of the world), a collection of maps from cities all over Europe. The text on the map is written in Latin. The map includes a key describing the major sites of the city.
The map shows a small city surrounded by a wall that is labelled “Pest.” Across the Danube River is a fortress and the palace. On the right there are many buildings, including many domes, towers, and streets that are not surrounded by a wall. Beyond the cities is a landscape of hills, forests, and farm land. In the foreground are two large figures: one is dressed in elaborate clothing and wearing a large turban; the other is dressed in animal skins and wearing a feather headdress. Both the figures are carrying weapons.
The map has a decorative border and includes two cartouches (text boxes) one above and one below the map. The text above the map reads: “Buda, capital of Hungary and ancestral seat of the king, called Ofen in German.” The text beneath the map refers to the location of different sites including the fortress, the royal palace, a church that became a mosque, and vineyards. The text also refers to:
A barbaric tribe among the Turks, fearless and ready to commit any atrocity; they are commonly known as the Deli. They stick feathers through the skin on their heads, which makes them appear even more bloodthirsty.
The figure on the right of the foreground is probably a man from this tribe.
This map was created when Buda and Pest were under Ottoman rule, which explains the turban of the figure on the left. Jews were already living in Budapest at the time that this map was created. In 1526, when the Ottoman ruler arrived in Buda with his army, representatives of the Jewish community met him, begged for his grace, and handed him the keys of the deserted castle as token of their submission. Nevertheless, the majority of the Jews of Buda were exiled to other cities of the Ottoman Empire. In Sofia, for example, there was a community of so-called “Ungarus” (Hungarian) Jews. The Jewish community in Buda was restablished in 1541, and despite the heavy taxes, they became the largest and most influential community in Hungary. In 1686, the Austrians captured the city from the Turks, killing half of the Jewish community who had sided with the Turks and banishing the rest. In 1783, Jews were once again permitted to return to the city.
Civitates Orbis Terrarum was the first book of its kind, with maps of the cities of the world.
