The city of Gyula lies in the south-eastern part of the Great Plain, on the shores of the river Fehér-Körös, near the Romanian border. The mixed content of the local Hungarian, German and Romanian population of approximately 33.000 people lives together in peace for decades in a city that is as old as 800 years now. In our days Gyula is the most significant centre of the Romanian minority, and is the seat of the only orthodox mitre of Hungary. This is the cultural and religious variegation that city has kept ever since, and that we can sense while walking through the intimate boardwalks or sitting at shady proms.

The first written records of Gyula were dated in 1214 and the following centuries were the ages of rise and enrichment: the city became the seat of Békés County and the castle was built. The halcyon days lasted until 1566, when castle was taken over by the ottomans for 129 years and the township was destroyed. Then through the 18th century the arrival of pioneers helped the city to revive from its ruins and gain the rank of being the seat of the county once again. The growth of the city lasted till the end of WW II. When the Trianon Peace-treaty was signed and the closeness of the new Romanian border became an obstruction of growing further. That as well led to loosing the status of being seat of the county. The city though kept the ambience of the past through the richness of art treasures, historic buildings and parks offering ideal surroundings for relaxation. Gyula awaits its visitors with a wide selection of programs throughout the entire year.

Website: www.gyula.hu

The castle and the castle museum

The most renowned attraction of Gyula certainly is the castle, which is the only such gothic styled brick castle in Central-Europe that kept its shape through centuries. In 1405 János Maróti ordered the construction, which was then taken over by János Corvin, the son of King Mathias. In 1566, after a siege of over nine weeks the castle was captured by the ottomans for 129 years. After the liberation of the city the suppliers of the lordship occupied the building. Another particularity of the castle is the fact, that aside from the Buda and the Vajdahunyad Castles it was the only one, which belonged to the kingdom.

The completely renovated castle is the home of the Corvin Museum, where visitors can have a glance at the everyday lives of the inhabitants of the castle. They can visit the prison, the larder, the Hungarian and the Turkish bakery, the smithy, the pottery, the brassiere, the chapel, the royal suites, the chancery, the armoury and salon of knights. The costume guidance might be a memorable experience for children.

Opening hours:
Monday: closed
Tuesday: 13:00 – 17:00
from Wednesday to Saturday: 9:00 – 17:00
Sunday: 9:00 – 13:00

Website: www.corvinmuzeum.hu

Várfürdő SPA

The most renowned attraction of Gyula is the Várfürdő SPA built in the castle park of 8.5 hectares of the Almásy Castle and today it is a nature reserve. The thermal water containing alcali-hydrogen-carbonate-chloride rises from 2004 metres and is perfect for healing locomotive disorders, local nervous diathesis, rehabilitating treatments after accidents and phlogistic gynaecological problems. Visitors of the SPA also have resort to a wide range of therapies in the medical centre based on 2000 m².

Having achieved four stars – the highest possible ranking of spas in Hungary -, the Castle Bath has emerged as the newest, most modern bath and spa of European standard in the South Great Plain region, where pleasure pools, children’s water paradise, effervescent or wave pools and giant or kamikaze slides provide all age-groups with perfect amusement in no less than 19 pools. The latest addition is the wellness centre providing ten different water themes, saunas and steam rooms, the essential instruments of well-being.

In the park of the SPA guests may also visit the famous Erkel-tree, under which Ferenc Erkel composed the opera Bánk bán.

Website: www.varfurdo.hu

Castle Theatre and Chamber

The once genteel casino building is now the chamber of the Castle Theatre. In autumn-spring season it hosts various acts, performances, concerts and dancing events. The Chamber Art Gallery in the entrance hall opened in 1999 and offers exhibitions of renowned artists since.

During the summer season a real extraordinary experience awaits our guests – this is when the theatre moves to between the walls of the castle itself. From early July till mid-August the repertoire consists of drama and comedy acts, ballet, opera, jazz, blues and folk performances. Most recently beside Hungarian actors, international stars perform as well. Since 2005 the theatre celebrates the Shakespeare Festival every summer with the contribution of renowned international artists.

Ticketing information is available at the reception!

Website: www.gyulaivarszinhaz.hu

1848/49-es honvédtiszti emlékhely – Memorial

Gyula unfortunately was a mournful place of the Hungarian war of independence in 1848-49. After the surrender in Világos 1300 captured officers were escorted to Gyula and were passed over the Austrian authorities. Nine out of the 13 officers, who were later executed in Arad, were detained here. The circle of the statues by the castle was designed for their memorials.

Almásy-kastély

The construction of the palace located near the Várfürdő SPA was ordered by János Harruckern in 1720. After two conflagrations it was renovated in 1801 in “copf” style, then between 1888 and 1944 the Almásy-family resided in it. Since that condition of the palace has gone from bad to worse, and is desolated and empty.

Ladics House

The L shaped burgher-house was built at the beginning of the 19th century in baroque style, as a dwelling-place of the notary of Magyargyula. The owners of the building preserved the furniture, everyday objects, and attires reflecting on the 19th century lifestyles. The town purchased the building and the extraordinary collection in 1978, and furbished a museum on the premises, which displays the provincial civic world of the 19th-20th centuries in its six rooms.

Opening hours:
Monday: closed
Tuesday: 13:00 – 17:00
from Wednesday to Saturday: 9:00 – 17:00
Sunday: 9:00 – 13:00

Erkel Ferenc emlékház – Memorial house

The Ferenc Erkel Memorial House (1810-93) was furnished in his birth house built in 1795. Everyday objects, documents and photographs of the Erkel family can be seen here, amongst them the composer’s harmonium and manuscript scores. Ferenc Erkel founded the Hungarian National Opera and wrote the music to the Hungarian National Anthem (Himnusz). He was elected honorary citizen of Gyula in 1888.

Opening hours:
Monday: closed
Tuesday: 13:00 – 17:00
from Wednesday to Saturday: 9:00 – 17:00
Sunday: 9:00 – 13:00

Exhibition of Butchery

In the building of the old slaughterhouse, the János Corvin Museum and the Association of Butchers in Gyula now operates a new museum displaying the manufacturing ages, and early years of machined butchery. Visitors can access the exhibition for free of charge every Saturday from 9am until 1pm.

Website: www.gyulaihentesek.hu

Gyulavári Kastély Látogatóközpont – Visitors Centre

Gyulavári was an autonomous township until 1971, when it was attached to the city of Gyula. It is the location of the Wenckheim-Almásy palace, which has recently been renovated, and now functions as a visitors centre. The centre displays the heritage, the culture and the possibilities of growth of the Great Plain in three areas.

Website: www.gyulavarikastely.hu

Romantic walk in the town centre

Take a walk in the inner town of Gyula, which preserves such a belle-époque ambience through its old buildings, shady parks. It takes only a few minutes to the “Élővíz” tunnel, the fountain at charming Petőfi Square or Catholic Church at Harruckern Square. Once getting to the Kossuth Square, the latest attraction can be enjoyed – the fountain animations.

• 
• 
• 

• 
•