Town and cathedral in medieval Hungary

The bishoprics in medieval Hungary were founded by the royal power in a short period during the early decades of the 11^th century (with modifications before and after 1100). This structure was basically constant and did not change until the 18^th century. The selection of episcopal centers was consequently not the result of the spontaneous Christianisation of a given territory, but a political act. Important political centers were preferred to early Christian bishoprics or to Carolingian or Moravian centers. The bishopric was not an integral part of the town; rather, the bishops created a separate episcopal center, a castle within the town, including the cathedral, the chapter, and some other churches and palaces. The building history of the cathedrals can be divided into several distinct periods (11^th century, ca. 1100, ca. 1200, the 14^th century and the late 15^th - early 16^th century) which also represent stylistic turning points.