ESA Research Network 28 Society and Sport Midterm Conference Sport and social responsibility: science and practice in times of crisis
MEET THE CALVINIST ROME!
Debrecen is the second largest and most populous city in Hungary. Because of its history, it is often referred to as Calvinist Rome or the Civic city.
The Reformed Church of Debrecen (https://www.nagytemplom.hu) is one of the largest Reformed churches in the country and a major tourist attraction of Debrecen. It was completely burnt down in the great fire of 1802 in Debrecen, so a new church had to be built for the Reformed believers of the city. The current form of the church was designed by the architect Mihály Péchy following the neoclassical style. The church is famous for its history: on 14 April 1849, Lajos Kossuth read the Declaration of Independence here. The chair Kossuth used on that occasion is a treasured relic of the Great Church.
The Reformed Great Church has many special relics and interesting exhibitions. In addition to church events, the church hosts exhibitions on church history, organ concerts and musical events.
Figure 1. Reformed Church of Debrecen Source: Szallas.hu
The Déri Museum in Debrecen (https://www.derimuzeum.hu) has been one of the city's greatest treasures for almost a century. Frigyes Déri donated a significant collection to the Hungarian state in 1920 and wanted the objects to be displayed in Debrecen. By 1930, Dénes Györgyi and Aladár Münnich designed the special building and opened the Déri Museum.
The museum's most popular exhibition room is the Munkácsy Room, where three monumental paintings depicting the Passion of the Christ can be seen. In addition, the museum's Japanese collection is internationally outstanding, displaying 19th and 20th-century Tokyo utensils alongside typical Edo-period Japanese artefacts. Finally, visitors will be given a glimpse into the past and present of the Nagyerdő (Great Forest) and will also be thrilled by the Chamber of Wonders, the modern weapons collection and the interactive archaeological exhibition.
Figure 2. Déri Museum Source: Szallas.hu
Debrecen's park is located in the country's first nature reserve, the Nagyerdő (Great Forest), just ten minutes from the historic city centre. The Nagyerdei Park offers a full range of recreation and entertainment for outdoor enthusiasts under the hundred-year-old trees. One of the most popular spots is Frog Lake, where you can walk, cycle and even picnic.Near the park, you can also enjoy the Nagyerdei Water Tower, the stadium, the zoo and amusement park, and the Aquaticum Spa complex.
Figure 3 Nagyerdei Park Source: Szallas.hu
| Aquaticum SPA | Zoo and Amusement Park | Water Tower |
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| Figure 4. Aquaticum SPA Source: Szallas.hu | Figure 5. Zoo and Amusement Park Source: Szallas.hu | Figure 6: Water Tower Source: Szallas.hu |
Spa and sports facilities, infant-friendly services, a sauna world and many more exciting adventures are offered in one of Hungary's most outstanding spa resorts.
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Debrecen Zoo opened in 1958, the first of the Hungarian zoos in the countryside. Since 1961, it has operated under the name of Nagyerdei Kultúrpark (Culture Park of Nagyerdő), merged with the Amusement Park. Since 1992 it has also been a botanical garden. The three activities, which have become inseparable, make the park, located among the trees of the theNagyerdő, truly unique. Over the past decades, the Debrecen Zoo and Amusement Park have become key cultural and leisure facilities in the city of Debrecen. | One of the most popular attractions of Debrecen's Nagyerdő is the water tower, built in 1913 and still in operation today, which features a 34-metre-high lookout, art gallery, climbing wall, rickshaw rental, café and splash bar, and a variety of activities throughout the year. |
More to visit
The sightseeing walking tour should start from the Big Station. On the left of the square is the city's tallest building, a 20-storey apartment block. After the crossroads, the first street on the right is the Iparkamara (Chamber of Commerce) Street, on the corner of which stands the eclectic-style building of the former Chamber of Commerce and Industry from 1910.
Walking further, the main street of the city, Piac Street, which was the heyday of Debrecen's trade during the late Middle Ages when the market was a place of thousands of goods, is next. Its architectural character began to take shape only in the early 19th century, under the influence of Classicism and was finally shaped in the early 20th century by Art Nouveau and Eclecticism.
Thanks to its arcaded architecture, Gambrinus köz is one of the most atmospheric parts of the city centre. At numbers 26-28, a large U-shaped entrance hall with an angular courtyard and a tenement building recalls the old town look of Debrecen.
On the corner of Piac Street and Kossuth Street is the Reformed Church, the Csonka (Small) church and the surrounding Révész Square, named after Imre Révész, a famous Reformed church historian of the last century.
Széchenyi Street opens up to the left of the church. This street, founded in the 15th century, was originally called German Street because it was the home of German merchants who came to the fair. It was named after István Széchenyi, the "greatest Hungarian", at the end of the last century.
Debrecen's most distinctive architectural monument is the neoclassical Town Hall. Its predecessor was built in 1531 and housed the city's administration.
As you approach the main square, you can see the city's world-famous hotel, the Hotel Golden Bull. It takes its name from the fact that the land and the stone house of the Bull family, who had lived in Debrecen since 1536, were bought by the city in 1690.
The statue of Lajos Kossuth, created by Ede Margó and Szigfrid Pongrácz from their winning entry, stands in the town centre.
In the centre of Kossuth Square, embedded in the ornamental stone pavement, is the city's coat of arms, made of Italian glass mosaics. Next to the Golden Bull Hotel is one of the largest musical fountains in the country, the work of Antal Pázmándy. The Great Church is the heart of the city's most characteristic Hungarian classicist building. Behind that, an ornate Memorial Garden can be found. Behind the Memorial Garden is the Debrecen Reformed College, which has stood on its present site since 1538.
Public transport
DKV Debrecen Exclusive Transport Company Ltd. operates several sales points throughout the city, including at the busiest junctions, in shopping centres and post offices, where passengers can purchase single tickets as well as day-, week- and monthly passes.
To plan a trip with DKV, please use this: https://www.dkv.hu/
You also can download the Közlekedési Mobiljegy app to buy online tickets.
The mobile ticket takes just a few minutes to buy. It's easy, convenient and fast for everyday life. The ticket entitles you to a single, non-stop, non-transferable journey on scheduled services operated by DKV Zrt. The ticket, purchased in advance via the Közlekedési Mobiljegy application, must be validated by reading the code outside the vehicle, by the first or second door, before the journey begins. A ticket purchased without validation does not entitle the holder to travel and will be subject to surcharge procedures.
To reach the university from the airport, you can use Bus Airport 1 and Tram No. 1
To teach the city centre from the university, use Tram No. 1