Founding of Várokirályi

Founding

Founded by Grand Prince Ember IV in 852 as a home port for Barchu’s fledgling navy, the city was originally known as Kikötőváros Királyi (“Royal Port City”).

Founded by Grand Prince Ember IV in 852 as a home port for Barchu’s fledgling navy, the city was originally known as Kikötőváros Királyi (“Royal Port City”). The name is derived from the Old Lovásic kiköt (“dock” or “pier”) and vár + os meaning “castle” and “to have something”  “castle having a dock or pier” ”port city.” Királyi is an Old Lovasic adjective meaning “royal,” from király (“king”) probably borrowed from Proto-Cyrontic kraly (“king”).   Over time, and with the expansion of the city northward beyond the old port district, the name was commonly contracted to “Város Királyi.” The statute of Emperor Vérbulcsú which relocated the Imperial Capital in 1000 C.A. refers to the new capital as “Városkirályi.” In the ensuing centuries, the names “Városkirályi” and “Várokirályi” were used interchangeably, with the latter becoming increasingly common and gaining official recognition by the mid-twelfth century.