Page 5 - Debrecen 2019

FASCINATING TIDBITS OF

CULTURE, WHICHEVER

DIRECTION YOU STEP

The symbol of the town is the impressive Reformed Great re, which is an exhibition venue for one of the most impor-
Church on the main square, which, in addition to being one tant contemporary private art collections of Hungary, and
of the largest reformed churches of the country, was the the Ferenc Medgyessy Memorial Museum. In addition to the
venue for major historic events - for example, in April 1849, museum district, the city centre is made colourful by several
Lajos Kossuth read the Declaration of Independence here. private galleries.
The exhibitions of the church, declared a National Memorial, The regional centres of four religions are operating in Deb-
show some moments of the history of the Reformed Church, recen, while it is the episcopal centre of two religions – the
the town and the country, while a walk between its two tow- Reformed and the Roman Catholic religions, as well as the
ers offers a wonderful view of the town. centre of the Greek Catholic Metropolia, and of the largest
The Reformed College, which has been operating continu- Jewish community of the countryside. The churches of the
ously since 1538, was the alma mater of the greatest literary four religions, besides being sacred places, are also tour-
fi gures of the country, including Mihály Fazekas, Mihály Cso- ist attractions with permanent and temporary exhibitions
konai Vitéz, and Ferenc Kölcsey. The objects connected to and concerts. The former catholic district of the town is at
them are preserved in the museum exhibitions of the Colle- St. Anne Street, and its centre is the St. Anne’s Cathedral,
ge and in the House of Literature of Debrecen. The Great Li- where, in addition to beautiful frescoes, a certifi ed copy of
brary of the College is one of the most beautiful libraries of the Turin Shroud and a church art exhibition can be seen. In
the world. addition to the big churches, it is worth visiting the Reformed
Debrecen’s artistic treasures can be discovered in the smaller Little Church, commonly known as the “truncated church”,
and larger galleries and museums. Lovers of the arts “must” the Greek Catholic Church on Attila Square, the synagogues
visit the modern picture gallery and Munkácsy Hall of the Dé- in Pásti Street and Kápolnási Street, and the Veres (Red)
ri Museum, the Modem Modern and Contemporary Art Cent- Church, famous for its special wall frescoes.

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