Hungarian History Podcast

Who are the Székelys? Are they the descendants of Attila the Hun? A unique warrior class? The ancient guardians of Hungary's borders?

In our special 20th episode, we delve into the epic history of the Székely people—the easternmost Hungarian group. This one is about the Székelys—my wife's people. 

A community with a story of resilience, from medieval warriors carving runes on wood to modern-day bonfires lit for autonomy on th...

Did the Kingdom of Hungary vanish after 1526?And was the Transylvanian Principality just a mere vassal state of the Ottomans?

You’ve heard it countless times: after the Battle of Mohács, Hungary disappeared. I have heard this narrative from many Romanians that Hungary was wiped off the map, swallowed by empires, and only “reappeared” centuries later.
But that’s not what really happened.

“The Hungarian Kingdom vanished into the blu...

What really happened during the legendary 39-day siege of Eger Castle? You may know Gárdonyi Géza’s classic novel The Stars of Eger (or also called „The Fall of The Crescent Moon”)—but have you ever heard the story from the Ottoman perspective?

In this dramatic episode of the Hungarian History Podcast, we step into the tents of Pasha Hádim Ali and Serdar Kara Achmed as they lead nearly 45,000 Ottoman troops against Dobó István and h...

History and Power: Can the Past Ever Be Objective?

Today I have a very special guest: Dr. Péter Illik, one of the leading experts on early modern Hungarian history. He is the author of more than 15 books and 200 scholarly articles, many of which have reshaped our understanding of the 16th century, the Ottoman–Habsburg conflicts, and even the international reception of the Treaty of Trianon.

🔎 In this episode, we explore:

1. Can ther...

The Hungarian History Podcast returns with one of the bloodiest battles of the 1552 campaign.
Only weeks after the fall of Drégely, the Ottomans pushed north – and at Palást, they met the Christian armies of General Teuffel.

German mercenaries, Italian soldiers of fortune, and Hungarian hussars clashed with Janissaries, Sipahis, and Ottoman cannons.
It was a disaster for the Christians – yet men like Thury György still kept th...

The Hungarian History Podcast continues with the dramatic Siege of Drégely (1552) — the heroic last stand of Captain György Szondi and his men against overwhelming Ottoman forces.

The year is 1552. A small, crumbling fortress in the Börzsöny Hills stands as the last barrier between the Ottoman war machine and the heart of Europe. Inside, Captain Szondy György and his 146 men prepare to face an army of 12,000 Ottomans.

Their story is ...

Outnumbered, undersupplied, and betrayed by allies, Captain Losonczy István and his men faced the unstoppable Ottoman war machine in one of the most dramatic sieges of the 16th century. This is a story of defiance, betrayal, and a final stand that still echoes through history.

🎙️ It is still the only English podcast focusing entirely on Hungarian history.
If you care about Hungary’s past and want these stories to reach the world...

🔥 Intrigue, Betrayal, and the Shadow of Siege 🔥

Transylvania, 1551.
An uneasy alliance shatters.
The White Monk — Martinuzzi György, cardinal, statesman, and master of intrigue — meets his fate in one of the most infamous political assassinations in Hungarian history.
As the Ottomans and Habsburgs circle like vultures, the frontiers of Hungary erupt into fire.

🎙 In the latest episode of the Hungarian History Podcast, we t...

Still the only podcast in English dedicated entirely to Hungarian history, and today’s episode is something special!

Instead of a solo deep-dive, I’m thrilled to be joined by historian Konnát Árpád for a rich, dynamic conversation. A Transylvanian Hungarian, researcher at the Trianon Museum in Várpalota, and my dear friend (and swordmate!), Árpád brings incredible depth to this discussion.

Fluent in languages, skilled with both sabe...

Heroic last stands, brutal betrayals, haunted legends…
In this episode, we take you deep into the blood-soaked heart of the 16th century, when Hungarian and Ottoman forces clashed over castles, cities, and survival. From the fall of Buda to the forgotten siege of Valpó, from brave hussars to treacherous burghers – this is the story of the fortresses that shaped Hungary's fate.

💻 Digital self-defense in the 21st century needs...

🎙️ Episode 10 — After Mohács: Resistance, Rebellion, and a Deal with the Sultan;
The Hungarian History Podcast with Szántai Gábor, the only English voice about Hungarian history on social media.

Before the catastrophe at Mohács in 1526, Queen Maria of Habsburg blocked all attempts to negotiate with the Ottomans.
After the king’s death, her brother Ferdinand of Habsburg claimed the Hungarian throne, promising that he and Emper...

'Re-examining the Death of King Lajos II at Mohács'

The death of King Lajos II in 1526 remains one of the most consequential historical mysteries in Central Europe. Although it has traditionally been recorded as an accidental drowning, several contemporary sources merit closer examination.

The subsequent power struggle between Habsburg Ferdinand and Szapolyai János resulted in conflicting accounts of the king's final mom...

🎙️ Episode 8 – The Battle of Mohács: Cavalry, Chaos, and Collapse

In this episode of the Hungarian History Podcast, we take you to one of the most tragic—and misunderstood—days in Central European history.

August 29, 1526.
On the fields of Mohács, the fate of a kingdom is decided in just a few brutal hours.

But this is not just the story of defeat.
It is a story of warhorses and riders, of elite Hungarian knights and overconfid...

🔥EPISODE 7: Gold & Blood – The 36-Year War BeforeMohács🔥

"The Borderland never slept. For 30 years, heroes held theline—outnumbered, underpaid, but never broken, whilekings were betrayed, treasuries looted, and Europe looked away."This episode shatters the myths:

⚔️ Queen Beatrix's schemes. Kinizsi's betrayal. HowMátyás' legacy was stolen⚔️ The Jagellonian "Weakness" Lie – Why Ulászló II and Lajo...

In this special episode, I talk with Katerina Dunne, author of the historical novel Lord of the Eyrie.
Set in the time of Hunyadi János, her story brings 15th-century Hungary to life, told through the eyes of both a nobleman and his wife, caught in the chaos of war, politics, and survival.

Katerina is a Greek-born writer who lived in Ireland for 25 years and recently moved to Cyprus.
She learned Hungarian, fell in love with ou...

In this electrifying episode, we uncover how King Matthias Corvinus – the legendary Raven King – stood as the last true Christian monarch to confront the rising Ottoman threat with both pen and sword.

⚔️ Matthias rebuilt Hungary's second line of defense on the southern borderland, held strongholds deep in enemy territory, and risked his own life in combat to beat back the Turks.

🏇 His feared Black Army not only terrified Europe ...

🔥A Century of Struggle. One Historic Stand.

In this episode of the Hungarian History Podcast, wejourney through nine turbulent decades—from the first Ottoman war in 1366 to the epic Siege of Nándorfehérvár / Belgrade in 1456.

We must investigate the way that led to the siege ofNándorfehérvár / Belgrade—how betrayals, invasions, andresistance shaped the fate of Hungary and Europe.

Hear the dramatic tale of kings betrayed, cities lost,...

"The Ottoman Conquests Through European Eyes"

How did different nations experience Ottoman rule? In this episode of the Hungarian History Podcast, we explore:• The Ottoman claim of bringing tolerance—and the complex reality on the ground
• How Hungary, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean regionsremember this era differently
• Why the occupation left a lasting mark on Hungarian history and identity

Join us for a thought...

The Origins of the Turks and the Meaning of the Ottoman Conquests

Where did the Turks come from — and how did they become Ottomans?

In this episode of the Hungarian History Podcast, we trace the early history of the Turkic peoples, from the Asian steppes to the rise of the Ottoman Empire. Discover how a tribal alliance became a global power, and how “Turkish” identity evolved along the way.

What made the Ottoman state so different fro...