Was King Matthias a hunter? Yes indeed. This stone marks a fragment of Mátás király vadaskertje. It was King Matthias’s royal hunting park. Imagine this area teeming with wildlife. Picture deer, wild boar and maybe even a bear roaming freely. Mátás király vadaskertje wasn’t just a hunting ground. It was a place for the king to relax and entertain.
In the 15th century Matthias Corvinus built Mátás király vadaskertje. He wanted a place to indulge his passion for hunting. The park covered a large area in what is now Budapest’s II. district. Mátás király vadaskertje extended across parts of Hűvösvölgy and Hármashatár-hegy. Today this area is still known as Vadaskert.
Antonio Bonfini a chronicler described it. He wrote that Mátás király vadaskertje was encircled by ramparts and fences. It was a garden dotted with hills and valleys. This hunting paradise was stocked with game animals. Red deer, wild boar, roe deer and fallow deer thrived here. The king even introduced exotic species like camels and lions.
Garárdy Sándor an amateur archaeologist rediscovered parts of Mátás király vadaskertje in 1931. He uncovered the walls of the former royal park. The park’s boundary walls were about two meters high. They ran along what is now the Glück Frigyes Road. These walls marked the edge of Mátás király vadaskertje.
The design ensured easy entry but difficult exit for the animals. This was achieved by a wall that was low on the outside. Inside it was high. This helped keep the game inside Mátás király vadaskertje. Today hikers can still explore the area. They might even spot wild animals.
Today you can visit the Vadaskerti Memorial. It features a map showing the park’s layout. The Vadaskerti-hegy also stands as a reminder of its history. Though much has changed the spirit of Mátás király vadaskertje remains. The area is still a haven for wildlife and nature lovers.
So as you stand here remember King Matthias. Remember his love for hunting and the wild beauty of Mátás király vadaskertje. This stone is a silent witness to centuries of history. It connects us to a time when kings roamed these hills. They pursued their passion for the hunt.