Location and Historical Importance
Bresburg, also known in older writings as Posonium, Bosonium, or Bifonium, and by some scholars identified with the ancient Flexum, is a pleasant and well-situated city on the north bank of the River Danube. It lies about ten German miles east of Vienna, which was the chief city of the region. Bresburg stood within the Imperial dominions of Hungary and gained special importance during times of political change and loss Carnuntum in the Age of the Roman Emperors.
After the fall of Buda to foreign powers, Bresburg became the meeting place of the Estates of Hungary, where important political decisions were made. Later, after the loss of Strigonium (Esztergom), which had been the metropolitan or archiepiscopal city, Bresburg also gained increased religious importance. Thus, the city played a central role in both the civil and ecclesiastical life of the kingdom during a difficult period of its history.
The Castle and the Crown of Hungary
A Symbol of Royal Authority
The city itself is agreeable and well-built, but its most striking feature is the castle, which stands in a strong and commanding position above the town. The castle is modern, beautiful, and well designed, and it is carefully maintained. Within it is preserved one of the most treasured objects of the kingdom: the Crown of Hungary.
This crown is held in the highest honor by the Hungarian people. According to long-standing tradition, it was brought by an angel from Heaven and presented to Saint Stephen, the first Christian king of Hungary. The crown is said to differ in form from other royal crowns, making it unique both in appearance and symbolic meaning. It represents not only royal authority but also the sacred foundation of the Hungarian state Istanbul Old City Tours.
Religious Buildings and Sacred Relics
The Cathedral and Its Treasures
The cathedral church, also known as the Dome, is one of the most important religious buildings in Bresburg. Within it lies the body of Saint John the Almsgiver, formerly Bishop of Alexandria, a figure greatly revered for his charity and piety. The presence of such a relic added to the spiritual importance of the city and attracted the devotion of many pilgrims.
The Jesuits hold a portion of this same church and maintain nearby a fine apothecary shop, which is well supplied with rare and curious substances. This establishment was not only useful for medicine but also admired for the variety and quality of its contents.
Gardens, Walks, and Public Beauty
A City of Pleasure and Design
Another notable feature of Bresburg is the garden of the Archbishop, which is widely admired for its beauty and careful design. It contains pleasant walks, artificial grottos, a labyrinth, fish ponds, and fountains, all arranged in a noble and orderly manner. There is also a sculpted figure of Saint Jerome, which adds a learned and religious character to the garden. These grounds provide both recreation and reflection, combining nature with art.
Religious Diversity
Churches of Different Confessions
In addition to the Catholic institutions, the city also contains a fine Lutheran church, showing that Bresburg was home to people of different religious traditions. Despite religious differences, the city remained orderly and prosperous, reflecting its importance as a political and cultural center along the Danube.
