Stephen modelled his kingdom on the cultures of western Europe with the support of Pope Sylvester II, who provided him with a stunning crown. Hungary's second favourite king is Matthias Corvinus (1458-1490), who proved to be an intelligent statesman with a keen eye for the arts during his popular 32-year reign.
However, following 150 years of war with the Ottamans, most of the ravaged country had to be reconstructed. It was at this time that emigrants from neighbouring lands, including Slovaks and Swabians arrived in Hungary in their droves.
In the centuries that followed, Hungary entered into political cooperation with the Habsburg dynasty. The Austro-Hungarian monarchy was founded in 1867, heralding a golden era that lasted until the outbreak of WWI.
Following WWII, Hungary lost its independence when it was occupied by the Soviet army. The failed uprising against the oppressive regime in October 1956 resulted in the departure of some 200,000 Hungarians.
A period of milder “Gulyas Communism“ lasted until September 10, 1989, when the Austrian border was opened to East European tourists and refugees, an event that sparked the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 11 of the same year.
The socialist People's Republic came to an end on October 23, 1989 with the formation of the Republic of Hungary.
