The 15 wonders of Debrecen

Debrecen, Hungary’s second largest city, lies in the northern part of the Great Hungarian Plain, this is why it’s frequently referred to as the capital city of the plain. With its 200,000 dwellers it counts as a small city on an international basis, but visitors may choose from a diverse variety of sights to visit. Magyarorszagom.hu collected 15 of these to help you plan your trip to Debrecen 😉

Debrecen is the greatest city in the trans-Tisza region, it is also called “the Calvinist Rome” or the “citizen city”. It is the intellectual, cultural, economic, touristic, and transport centre of the East Hungarian region. Debrecen Day is celebrated on the 11^th of April.

The dynamically developing city was first mentioned in a document in the 13^th century. The city was known for its famous markets and Calvinist school all over the continent. It was also the venue of the Hungarian parliament in 1848-49 and 1944. Throughout history the city survived two firestorms and suffered great damage during WWII.

However, it is now living its heydays. It’s no surprise that international websites like Lonely Planet recommend visiting the city.

The Calvinist Church

The church designed by Mihály Péchy was inaugurated in 1822, it is the biggest protestant church in Hungary, and it is one of the national symbols of the country. This was where Lajos Kossuth presented the declaration of independence in 1849. The church is open to visitors, you can admire the beautiful interior, the Rákóczi bell and the incredible view of the city from the top of the western tower.

Agóra Science Centre

Science shapes our everyday life and the world that surrounds us. The recently opened science centre helps visitors understand everyday scientific phenomena with interactive exhibitions and different programmes for all age groups. Learn about mighty physics, chemistry and biology, and make sure to also visit the observatory.

National Park of Hortobágy

Since Debrecen is very close to the park that is part of the UNESCO World Heritage, you can easily take a one-day trip to the country’s most amazing natural scenery. The huge grassland is the home of Lake Tisza’s flora and fauna, which you can even discover on a guided tour.

Campus Festival

The musical festival held annually in the Great Forest entertains guests with local and international performances. Besides the concerts, you can also enjoy plays and cultural programmes. The performers included stars like Enter Shikari, Clean Bandit and Jess Glyne in past years.

The statue of Lajos Kossuth

Lajos Kossuth was the iconic figure of the 1848-49 revolution. He was the governor-president of Hungary for a short period before he was sent into exile. His statue is found in the neighbourhood of the church, where he presented the declaration of independence.

The tannery

The museum of artisans and traditional craft techniques is found in the house of the onetime tanners. The exhibition focuses on traditional artisan objects and techniques. Moreover, visitors can get an insight into the world of embroidery, pottery and cheese making.