Debrecen

About

Settled in the middle ages following the Hungarian conquest, the city grew in stature when many of the surrounding villages were abandoned during the Mongol invasion. The city never built a castle for defense, and so relied on diplomacy to resolve tensions during the Ottoman era, often shifting their allegiances. By the 19th century the city had become a cultural center, and was made the temporary capital in 1849 when the Hungarian revolutionary government relocated there. Today, visitors can simply walk through the scenic center of Hungary’s second largest for a healthy dose of culture. The central square is faced with one of the city’s most important landmarks - the Reformed Great Church, where Hungary proclaimed independence. Nearby, the eclectic Deri Museum has diverse collection, with everything from paintings by Mihály Munkácsy to an Egyptian exhibition.