The Ways of Road and Street Construction
Written by Ferentz Kováts
Original edition: Pozsony–Kassa, 1778.
Facsimile edition
NSZL–Kossuth Publishing House, Budapest, 2009., 296 pages
[Amor Librorum]
ISBN 978 963 095 943 8
The original of this item of the Amor Librorum facsimile series was published in Pozsony and Kassa (towns in the northern part of one-time Hungary) in 1778. The work of mathematician engineer Ferentz Kovács (1746–1819) is more than a simple translation of the book of Gautier, a contemporaneous royal engineer. It could as well be a history book for engineers as it presents the road constructing methods based upon arithmetical calculations and with special regard to the Hungarian circumstances. After providing a historical overview, including the description of Roman military roads, the author presents the characteristic road constructing methods in Hungary. He explains the methods to be used under different geographical and ground circumstances (plains, water shores, swamp areas and hills), and how to build bridges and construct streets in a city. It touches upon how to plant hedges and trees along the streets, and discusses the technologies and materials to be used in road construction. At the end of the volume there are six pages of beautiful engravings.
Amor Librorum
The original editions of the volumes of the Amor Librorum facsimile series are considered relics of European culture history. They are books with only a few copies (or one single copy) remained.
Our publications are available in our bookshop, or can be ordered from the Publications Department of the NSZL using the contact details below: Főigazgatói Kabinet kiadványtára, Országos Széchényi Könyvtár, 1276 Budapest P.O. box 1205., phone: 06 1 232-3556, e-mail: kiadvanytar@oszk.hu.