Scientists of the Pecs University (Hungary) visited the Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno

Hungarian scientists from the Pecs University historian and Professor Tamas Molnar, historian and medic, associate professor Zolt Molnar, and First Secretary of the Hungarian Embassy in the Republic of Belarus Peter Chomor came to Grodno to discuss the life and activities of the ruler of the Polish-Lithuanian Grand Duchy of Lithuania Stefan Batoria in our city.

The interest of Hungarian scientists in the personality of this monarch is not accidental. The brothers Tamas and Zolt Manar are studying the causes of the death of Stefan Batory, who came from a noble Hungarian clan, and are completing a book outlining the results of their research. Scientists of the Pecs University are trying to reveal one of the most mysterious and at one time covered with a multitude of rumors of secrets of Hungarian, Polish, Belarusian, Lithuanian, and in general European history, which has not been fully solved for the fifth century. Hungarian researchers specially arrived in Grodno to see our city, where the monarch spent his last days, where his body was anatomized (by the way, for the first time in the history of the Commonwealth) and was buried. The Manar brothers wanted to plunge into the historical aura of Grodno, to feel the spirit of those events.

- Stefan Batory loved Grodno, considered him to be the foremost city "both for temporary residence and for eternal rest", bequeathed himself here to bury, which was carried out in Fara Vitovta, which stood on the present Soviet Square. Later, the coffin with the King's body was transported to Krakow and buried in the Wawel Cathedral where almost all Polish kings were buried, "said Svetlana Morozova, historian of the history of Belarus, archeology and special historical disciplines at the meeting with the guests. Her research asset has a story about the circumstances of the disease, the versions of the causes of Stefan Batory's death and scientific attempts to uncover this mystery of history.
There are several versions of the death of the king. Basic: natural death and poisoning. On the one hand, it is known that Stefan Batory had illnesses known only to his doctors, although at all he made the impression of a strong and healthy man. Nevertheless, scientists do not rule out the fact that the influential prince could have been poisoned by one of his associates.
- Stefan Batory, living in Grodno, had ambitious plans for "reshaping" the map of Europe. Here, in his thoughts, he tried on the cap of Monomakh, conducted intensive correspondence and diplomatic preparation of the campaign against Turkey through Moscow. Therefore, the king had enemies on the international scene. And his sudden death gave rise to rumors of murder. We have here a case where the life of the monarch, in addition, is also a political value, "Svetlana Morozova added.

After the conversation, the guests visited the so-called Batoryevka, now - one of the buildings of Grodno State Medical University, where the anatomical exposition "Grodno Kunstkamera" is located. In the walls of this building on December 15, 1585 anatomization of the body of Batory was made to find out the cause of his death.

- We want to say that in recent years interest in Belarus has been growing in Europe, not only tourism, but also scientific. After all, very important events took place on the Belarusian lands, which influenced the geopolitical state of Europe. In addition, we have a common history that unites Hungary and Belarus, Hungary and Grodno. And Grodno is really an interesting city, it is understandable why Stefan Batory was so fond of him, - the brothers Tamas and Zolt Manar shared.

The historical atmosphere of our city, new interesting facts and detailed details of the puzzle of the death of the king will be reflected in the book of Hungarian scientists, which will be published in Russian and English and will become a fundamental study of this problem. The copy of the publication they plan to transfer to the scientific library of the Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno.