On a Common Path. Kraków and Budapest in the Middle Ages

The exhibition at the Krzysztofory Palace, prepared by the Budapest History Museum and the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków, is a tale of two cities from times of legend through the strongly accentuated Middle Ages until the present day, in Budapest’s case also including its Roman days. The exhibition recalls common themes in the histories of Buda and Kraków, such as the Mongol invasion which devastated our part of Europe in 1240 and 1241, as well as personal ties between the House of Anjou and the Jagiellonian dynasty, and of course Stefan Batory, Prince of Transylvania and King of Poland. We will uncover similarities of the cities’ law and order, social lives, cultures and trades. The featured artworks, memorabilia, religious artefacts, everyday objects, manuscripts and early prints originate from many Polish and Hungarian collections. The juxtaposition of the history of Buda and the former Polish capital reveals similar, at times common, histories of these two nations which had bordered one another for centuries. It also celebrates the ancient friendship between Poland and Hungary. (Dorota Dziunikowska, "Karnet" monthly)