Debrecen: Hungary’s Cultural Capital of the East
Debrecen is the center of the Northern Great Plains and Hungary’s second-largest city. It is also the county seat of Bihar. It is one of the most important places for culture in Hungary. During the revolution of 1848-1849, Debrecen was Hungary’s capital. The Habsburg dynasty was put on the throne in the Great Mosque, which had been fixed up. At the end of World War II, in 1944 and 1945, the city was also the capital of Hungary. Debrecen has an estimated population of 202,520. Let’s explore the beautiful city of Debrecen.
History
After the Hungarians took over, people moved to Debrecen. After the Mongols took over Europe and left many small towns in the area empty, Debrecen became more important. By the middle of the 13th century, it grew and changed quickly.
By the early 1600s, Debrecen had become a major market town. In September 1411, as part of a deal with the ruler of Serbia, Stefan Lazarevi, the Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund gave him control of the city of Debrecen.
Then, Debrecen quickly joined the Protestant Reformation, which led to it being called “Calvinist Rome” and “Geneva of Hungary.” Most people who lived in the city during this time were Hungarian Calvinists. Between 1558 and 1693, Debrecen was called Sanjak when it was ruled by the Turks.
Leopold I, the Holy Roman Emperor, made Debrecen a “Free Royal City” in 1693. In 1849, when the Hungarian revolutionary government fled Pest-Buda, they moved the capital to Debrecen for a short time (present-day Budapest). During World War II, almost all of Debrecen was destroyed. On October 20, Soviet forces on the 2nd Ukrainian Front took over the city. After 1944, the country was put back together, and Debrecen was the capital for a short time.
Get into Debrecen
Debrecen Airport is the second largest airport in the country. It has been open for a long time and now has direct flights to a number of cities in Europe. Wizz Air has flights from Tel Aviv, Dortmund, Eindhoven, Brussels, Paris, Milan, London Luton, Doncaster Sheffield, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Malta, Larnaca,
and Moscow. From April 2016, Lufthansa will fly to Munich every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. You can get to most of the world’s biggest cities through this destination from a single point. Charter flights can take you to Erfurt, Crete, Burgas, Corfu, and Antalya.
Debrecen Weather
Debrecen has hot summers, cold and snowy winters, and partly cloudy weather all year. Temperatures usually range from 24°F to 81°F throughout the year, and they rarely drop below 10°F or go above 90°F.
Based on tourism scores, early June to mid-September is the best time to visit Debrecen for warm-weather activities.
From April 20 to August 2, Debrecen’s wet season lasts 3.5 months. June is the wettest month, with an average of 9.3 days with at least 0.04 inches of rain. From August 2 to April 20, 8.6 months pass during the dry season.
Top Sights in Debrecen
Hortobagy National Park
The building was built in 1600, but a fire in 1727 caused much damage. The tower used to have a dome that looked like an onion, but a big windstorm in 1907 broke it. They fixed it, but a big windstorm came along again and completely destroyed the tower’s shell. Then, the architects made the tower look like a fortress and gave up on the idea of a pointed dome. Since then, people also call this building the “Cut Church.”
Nagyerdei Water Tower
It is also a great place full of trees and plants. You can be in an area that is clean and free of dust. The view from this spot is beautiful, and you will feel really good after being there. A wonderful place to spend time with family and friends. Don’t pass up the chance to see this place. It will be a great adventure. There are a lot of places like this close to Debrecen.
Rickl House
There were a lot of shops on Debrecen’s main street. The first three-story homes in the city were built on the street called Big Market or Main Market. Even though they look simple, they have a lot of beautiful decorations on the outside. Some of them deserve more attention than the rest. In the classical style, this house was built in 1820.
Debrecen Zoo
This zoo is small enough to see in a few hours. It is in the middle of a forest and has a good layout. The standards are much higher than in other European cities.
Debrecen Accommodation
You will have access to all the information required to plan your trip efficiently and safely. Look around for the greatest hotel you can find. There are resorts, hotels, and other types of accommodations. Using this website, you can find a location to stay that satisfies your requirements.
Approximate Budget
Based on what other tourists have spent, you should plan to spend about Ft19, 575 ($46) per day in Debrecen. This is the average daily price based on what other tourists have spent. For one day, travelers from the past spent an average of Ft6, 917 ($16) on food and Ft3, 262 ($7.59) on local transportation. Also, a hotel room for two in Debrecen costs an average of Ft19, 522 (about $45 USD). So, it costs an average of Ft274, 049 ($638) for two people to go to Debrecen for a week. This budget is just a rough estimate.
Conclusion
The city center of Debrecen is charming, with nice buildings and a lively but not too busy atmosphere. Its university looks like a beautiful castle, and the big park next to it (called Nagyardo) is a fun place to go. You can walk along the trails and listen to the birds, play chess by the lake, or look at the old mansions along the main promenade. You will be able to enjoy the sweetness of a beautiful place with colorful, well-restored historical buildings and modern spaces that are green and bright.
FAQs
Is English spoken in Debrecen?
According to the 2011 census, 211,320 people were living in Debrecen. Out of those, 209,782 (99.3%) spoke Hungarian. 49,909 (23.6%) also speak English, 22,454 (10.1%) speak German, and 5,416 (2.6%) speak Russian.
What is Debrecen known for?
During the Middle Ages, Debrecen was known for its horse and livestock fairs, making it one of Hungary’s richest and most important cities. It was called “the Calvinist Rome” for a long time because it was so important to the reformed religions in east-central Europe.
Is Debrecen beautiful?
Since ancient times, people worldwide have traveled to Debrecen, and many others have dreamed of going there. It is well-known for the natural beauty of its surroundings.
Is Hungary a cheap place to visit?
Hungary has a reputation for providing high-quality goods and services alongside breathtaking scenery at extremely reasonable costs.
Can I drink water in Hungary?
Not only is it safe to consume, but its quality is comparable to bottled water, and in some cases even greater.
Is Hungary in the EU?
The year 2004 saw Hungary’s accession to the European Union, and the country has been a member of the Schengen Area since 2007.
Does Debrecen have an airport?
The international airport serving Debrecen, which is located in the county of Hajdu-Bihar in Hungary, is known as Debrecen International Airport.
Agora Science Centre
The Centre for Science and Technology is aimed at families with children. Visitors can learn many things about the modern achievements of science interactively and playfully. It features magic, optical illusions, and all sorts of fun things for kids.
Deri Museum
If you’re in Debrecen, this is an absolute must-see. Even though the museum isn’t very big, much work has gone into making it more interesting and appealing to the public. You will see a lot of Mihaly Munkasi’s paintings (a famous Hungarian-French artist). The Egyptian and Japanese displays will also be interesting to you.
Reformed Big Church
One of the most important historical buildings in Debrecen is one of the largest Reformation churches in the country. On April 14, 1849, this is where Lajos Kossuth read the Declaration of Independence. On that important day, the Regent-President sat in a chair with wings. This chair is one of the most valuable items in the church. The main building has been rebuilt more than once. After the Great Fire of 1802, the Classicist style we know today began to take shape. You can see great city views from the top of the towers or the steel bridge behind the tympanum.
Mist Theater
The Nagyerdei Arena is close by and has a unique thing to do from spring to fall. The multimedia fountain, or “mist theatre,” is made up of a fan-shaped 30×10-m water vapor screen that can be used as an active movie screen to show Debrecen and special laser installations. On hot summer days, people who are more daring might want to try the stairs across the basin.
Debrecen City Details
Currency: Hungarian Forints
Debrecen population: 202,520 (2016)
Area: 461.2 km²
Debrecen’s official language: is Hungarian.
Time Zones: (GMT+1)
Debrecen dials Code: +36
Debrecen is the second largest city in Hungary after Budapest. It may be found to the east of Budapest in the Northern Alfold, which is the most geothermal resource-dense region in all of Hungary. It is only a two-hour drive from the nation’s capital through the newly constructed highway, and it is home to one of the few international airports in the country.
Getting around in Debrecen
Debrecen by foot
Debrecen’s sights can be seen on foot if you have comfortable shoes. There are a lot of nice streets, but there are also a lot of not-so-nice ones.
Public transportation
If you don’t want to walk, you can use Debrecen’s great public transportation to get anywhere in the city. You can take a tram, a trolley bus, or a bus in Debrecen.
People often go to interesting places on the tram. It starts at the train station, goes down the main street, turns a bit toward the Great Mosque, goes to the old forest, the zoo, the theme park, and the public bath then goes to the universities and returns. Getting a ticket at the train station, hopping on, and enjoying the tour until you get back to where you started is a cheap way to see most of the city.
Taxi
There are two major taxi companies in the city. City Taxi Debrecen, Fonix Taxi. Both have mobile apps.
Cuisine
Hungarian cuisine uses selected spices to add flavor. Although hot paprika is associated with Hungary, many Hungarian dishes do not inherently contain hot chilies, and one might request that they not be included in dishes that use it. The main ingredients in traditional Hungarian dishes are meat, seasonal vegetables, fresh bread, dairy products, cheese, and fruit. A typical breakfast in Hungary might include fresh bread, cold sausages, minced meat (like kolbasz or szalami), some vegetables, or jam. As a result, you start looking forward to the meals that are a part of your journey.
Debrecen Nightlife
In Debrecen, there is an abundance of party spots that include a variety of musical genres, and you can always find individuals who are interested in going out there along with affordable drinks. Every day is a good day to celebrate here!
You can find some interesting things in Debrecen if you go out. On the weekends, clubs, bars, and dance clubs are open until the morning, but they don’t close until late in the morning. During the school year, there are a lot of parties during the week, but most places close at midnight in the summer.
People sing popular songs and dance together when there is live music. You can find great places with different kinds of music and vibes. Don’t forget to spend the night in Debrecen. There are also a number of nightclubs in Debrecen with different types of girls and shows.
Debrecen Accommodation
You will have access to all the information required to plan your trip efficiently and safely. Look around for the greatest hotel you can find. There are resorts, hotels, and other types of accommodations. Using this website, you can find a location to stay that satisfies your requirements.
Approximate Budget
Based on what other tourists have spent, you should plan to spend about Ft19, 575 ($46) per day in Debrecen. This is the average daily price based on what other tourists have spent. For one day, travelers from the past spent an average of Ft6, 917 ($16) on food and Ft3, 262 ($7.59) on local transportation. Also, a hotel room for two in Debrecen costs an average of Ft19, 522 (about $45 USD). So, it costs an average of Ft274, 049 ($638) for two people to go to Debrecen for a week. This budget is just a rough estimate.
Conclusion
The city center of Debrecen is charming, with nice buildings and a lively but not too busy atmosphere. Its university looks like a beautiful castle, and the big park next to it (called Nagyardo) is a fun place to go. You can walk along the trails and listen to the birds, play chess by the lake, or look at the old mansions along the main promenade. You will be able to enjoy the sweetness of a beautiful place with colorful, well-restored historical buildings and modern spaces that are green and bright.
FAQs
Is English spoken in Debrecen?
According to the 2011 census, 211,320 people were living in Debrecen. Out of those, 209,782 (99.3%) spoke Hungarian. 49,909 (23.6%) also speak English, 22,454 (10.1%) speak German, and 5,416 (2.6%) speak Russian.
What is Debrecen known for?
During the Middle Ages, Debrecen was known for its horse and livestock fairs, making it one of Hungary’s richest and most important cities. It was called “the Calvinist Rome” for a long time because it was so important to the reformed religions in east-central Europe.
Is Debrecen beautiful?
Since ancient times, people worldwide have traveled to Debrecen, and many others have dreamed of going there. It is well-known for the natural beauty of its surroundings.
Is Hungary a cheap place to visit?
Hungary has a reputation for providing high-quality goods and services alongside breathtaking scenery at extremely reasonable costs.
Can I drink water in Hungary?
Not only is it safe to consume, but its quality is comparable to bottled water, and in some cases even greater.
Is Hungary in the EU?
The year 2004 saw Hungary’s accession to the European Union, and the country has been a member of the Schengen Area since 2007.
Does Debrecen have an airport?
The international airport serving Debrecen, which is located in the county of Hajdu-Bihar in Hungary, is known as Debrecen International Airport.
