Gyula, Hungary
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| County | Békés |
|---|---|
| Area | 255,8 km² |
| Population |
|
| Postal code | 5700, 5711 |
| Area code | 66 |
Gyula (Romanian: Giula, German: Julau, Serbian: Ðula) is a town in Békés county (Romanian: Judeţul Bichiş) in south-eastern Hungary. It lies close to the border with Romania, on the river Fehér-Körös (Romanian: Crişul Alb).
Contents |
[edit] History
The first recorded reference to Gyula was in a document dated 1313 which mentions a monastery called Gyulamonostor (Julamonustra in Latin). By 1332 the settlement around the monastery was being called Gyula / Jula. There are two versions for the origin of the name. One is that following the occupation of the Pannonian Plain by the Magyar tribes, the tribe of the gyula settled in the area. More likely is the version that a lord called Gyula or Jula founded the monastery and its settlement.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census of 2001, the town had 32,967 inhabitants; 94.2% Magyars, 2.3% Romanians, 1.6% Germans, 0.3% Slovaks, 0.4% Roma and 5.4% other.
[edit] Romanian Community
Gyula is an important center for the Romanian community of Hungary. Here can be founded several organisations of this community:
- The Center for the National Self-governance of Romanians living in Hungary (AŢRU), Gyula, Eminescu Street, no. 1
- The seat of Romanian Orthodox Bishop of Hungary, Gyula, St. Nicholas Square.
- Organizations and Foundations:
- Romanian-Hungarian Cultural Union (UCRU), e-mail: csotye@usa.net
- Romanian Researchers and Creators Community from Hungary
- Pro Musica Foundation
[edit] Tourist Attractions
In the middle of the town stands the old fortress (13th century), now a cultural centre and a tourist attraction. Nearby, there are thermal spas known for their therapeutic effects.
In the "Great Romanian town" one may admire "Nicolae Bălcescu" High School designed by Szabó Jen. The architecture resembles that of Romanian wooden churches from Transylvania. Not very far is the Center for the National Self-governance of Romanians living in Hungary and the Romanian Orthodox Cathedral, erected in 1867. Another Romanian church is situated in the "Little Romanian town".
While walking through the town, one can admire the busts of Moise Nicoară, Liviu Rebreanu or Nicolae Bălcescu, people who contributed to what is now modern Romania.
[edit] Sister cities
Budrio, Italy, since 1965
Ditzingen, Germany, since 1991
Miercurea-Ciuc, Romania, since 1993- Arad, Romania, since 1994
Krumpendorf am Wörther See, Austria, since 1995- Schenkenfelden, Austria, since 1997
Droitwich, United Kingdom, since 2001
[edit] External links
- (Hungarian) (German) Official site
- (Romanian) The National Selfgovernance of The Romanians living in Hungary Center
