13.09.2024 THE ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE OF HUNGARY

The Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan in cooperation with the Consulate General of Hungary opens a photo exhibition on September 13, at 3 p.m. "THE ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE OF HUNGARY".

An informative photo exhibition introduces visitors to the most important Islamic architectural monuments of Hungary — mosques, minarets, turbe tombs and hammam baths, which are located in 5 Hungarian cities in the city of Pecs, Szigetvar, Eger, Sziklos and Budapest. These monuments reflect the 150-year-old Ottoman period of Hungarian history.

Most of Hungary became part of the Ottoman Empire in 1526, after Suleiman the Magnificent defeated the Hungarian royal army and from 1541, when, during another campaign, the Port captured the capital of the Hungarian Kingdom, Buda. However, Hungary differed from other regions of the Ottoman Empire not only in economic and social, but also in cultural factors of development. The Ottomans never managed to consolidate their power in Hungary during the 150-year period of rule. Neither peaceful methods nor the use of force have led to the victory of Islam in Hungary. There were no mass conversions to the Muslim faith, similar to those in the Balkans, as there was no violent Islamization. The conquerors did not force the Hungarians to adopt their language. Hungary has always had and still has a small Muslim population. The peaceful coexistence of Christians and Muslims became apparent in 1916, when the Hungarian Parliament, which was one of the first in Europe, passed a law giving Islam the status of an officially recognized religion in Hungary. Hungary equally represents the eastern border of Gothic and the northern/western border of Turkish-Islamic architecture.

The exhibition consists of 28 paintings and photographs, which are accompanied by short descriptions in three languages.