Itáliai építész "az ellenkirályok" szolgálatában. Domenico da Bologna életrajzához (1540)
An Italian Architect in the Service of the Kings of Hungary. Contributions to the Biography of Domenico da Bologna (1540)

Summary/Abstract: Domenico da Bologna was an Italian architect who had worked in Austria, Hungary − including Transylvania − and most probably in Italy as well, in the decade preceding the fall of Buda (1541). Contrary to the presumed significance of his work, there are only two fortresses that can be attributed, almost undoubtedly to him: the castle in Gherla and the modernization of the walls of Buda. The present article interprets four letters containing new information about Domenico in the endeavour to reduce the lack of information concerning the life and activity of this architect. The letters published as annexes, were all written in 1540 after the death of King John I (1526−1540) and preceding the military campaign conducted by Leonhard von Vels at the order of King Ferdinand I (1526−1564), whose goal was to occupy Buda. The author reasons that the letters are all evidence of King Ferdinand’s intention to convince the architect − who was in Buda by that time on the side of the defunct King’s people – to go over to the Habsburg party. Hoping to achieve his goal, King Ferdinand reissued the letter of donation of King Szapolyai concerning certain houses in Buda given to Domenico; he also offered him the position of Royal Architect for a 50 fl orins monthly wage and issued a passport for the architect to go to the royal court. However it is very unlikely that Domenico accepted Ferdinand’s offer.

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