John Corvinus was the illegitimate son of Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungary, and his mistress, Barbara Edelpöck.

Buda was the historic capital of the Kingdom of Hungary and, since 1873, has been the western part of the Hungarian capital Budapest, on the west bank of the Danube. Buda comprises a third of Budapest's total territory and is mostly wooded. Landmarks include Buda Castle, the Citadella, and the president of Hungary's residence, Sándor Palace.