Alright, there is really no city centre tour in Debrecen. Not that I know of anyway. But what I did though when I was there last year in springtime was to take a tour on my own by walking around the downtown city centre.
Kossuth Square in the downtown area of Debrecen.
Debrecen, I realised when I was there, was quite small. I mean really small that if you just walk around real fast, you may have seen the city in half an hour. Okay, maybe 1 hour, but that is really pushing. I tend to walk slow though because I like to inspect the details, the architecture, the facades of buildings, the signs, stores and cafes, anything really. I like observing my surroundings, the locals around me and how life moves about in the city I am visiting.
Trivia: Did you know that Debrecen is the second largest city in Hungary?
Here in Debrecen, life tends to go slow. The city’s core centre is quite attractive and compact, built with a lush and green atmosphere around it. It is the living room of the city, the most lively and nice part as well where everyone gathers. However, if you meander away, say 300 metres from the centrum’s perimeter, you will be confronted of a Debrecen or a Hungary mirrored in the communism past. That said, many beautiful buildings are still sadly in ruins state which is a pity. The city could use some help in terms of funding and projects. I see a lot of potential for Debrecen.
Just to sketch out the city’s core centre, what I mean here is the downtown area, the pedestrianised zone where the Reformed Great Church is located on Kossuth Square and Calvin Square, and all the way to the Piac Utca (Piac Street), as well as the nearby surroundings within 100-200 metres and the area of the Deri Museum.
It is quite safe here, however, the ramshackle appearance outside the core city centre didn’t resonate well with me in terms of safety, so I didn’t venture out that far. This is not saying that I do not like seeing and experiencing this other side of Debrecen. This is actually the reason why I want to visit Eastern Europe. To witness its transition, understand the effects of history on the people and the cities. and see the remnants of the past. But I always impose safety precaution in all my travels, especially when I am travelling alone. So having seen enough of it, I stuck to staying in the city’s core centre.
This is where Debrecen is on the map of Hungary, in the eastern part:
You can move the map by holding it with your mouse, as well as zoom it in and out by clicking on the + and – signs on the lower right hand side. When you zoom it in you will get to Kossuth Square.
The pictures below were taken on different days during my trip.
This is the Deri Museum in neo-baroque style architecture. The park seems to be a popular place for locals to gather together, especially for young people. Delibab Etelbar is a typical Hungarian snack bar slash fast food joint.
The Kossuth Square, the main square of Debrecen.
Strolling Debrecen with an ice cream treat.
The Great Reformed Church on Kossuth Square and Calvin Square. Too bad her facade was under renovation when I visited. Built between 1805 and 1824 in neo-classical design.
I went inside and found a mass service going on. The church is the symbol of the Protestant Church in Hungary, and so is the largest as well.
I was quite impressed with the brass door knobs and lock of the church.
The scene on Kossuth Square. It is a pedestrianised area and only trams are allowed to pass by.
The tram stop poles are so neo classical as well. Its nice to see that the city have managed to keep up the look and feel of the downtown area to the details.
This is a nice lounge bar and restaurant in the downtown area.
Lots of outdoor cafes in the side streets from Piac Utca.
Local bread from a bakery shop. I am always curious what people eat in each their country. Even the kinds of bread they eat.
This is a very elegant classical building in flamingo pink colour. You cannot miss this, located just after the pedestrianised area.
Yours truly here on Kossuth Ter.
Perhaps a congratulatory wreath with the ribbon of the Hungarian flag.
This is one of the eye-catching building in Debrecen. It is stunning but so dismal looking.
Love this lion door knob detail.
Also in Budapest, in the capital of Hungary, you will see a lot of these kinds of statues and architectural details decorating the facades of buildings.
How sweet aren’t they =)
Outdoor terraces on Piac Utca (Piac Street), this is the going-out area or the place-to-be in the city.
On my last day in Debrecen, it was a balmy 21C.
The Grand Hotel Aranybika on Kossuth Square. This hotel was my other choice but since I have a rental car with me and given its location in the pedestrianised zone with no parking area, I decided to go for the Malom Hotel instead. I did go inside a bit to see what I have missed.
A very impressive hall in terms of architecture but there is this void atmosphere around it.
One of the function rooms inside the Grand Hotel Aranybika. The hotel is a popular place to hold commercial and personal events as well.
There are also fountains on Piac Utca. It is a very refreshing area of the downtown centre. Lots of locals come here to spend time.
I also saw buildings with brass plated facades and entrances such as this. Really cool.
In Debrecen, they both run the old and new trams.
Travel Period: May 2014
Destination: Debrecen (Northern Great Plain), Hungary
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Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
