There are few cities like Debrecen. Hungary’s second largest city, Debrecen holds a special place in this most patriotic nation’s heart, as much for its tangible memories as its intangible ones. It was here that Hungary’s independence was declared back in 1848, and the city known as the Calvinist Rome has been the nation’s capital on a number of occasions. 

That moniker comes from its religious history, being the centre of Protestantism in the area. The word ‘centre’ seems to be cropping up quite a lot, and the heart of Debrecen is delightful in many ways, from its elegant architecture to its vibrant cafes and collection of memorials and statues. The doorway to the Great Plain, Debrecen is the beating heart of Hungary, then, now, forever.