Nyíregyháza

Nyíregyháza is a city in northeastern Hungary, and it is the capital of the Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county. It has around 118,001 people, making it the seventh-largest city in Hungary and the second largest in the Northern Great Plain region. The city has been growing since the 18th century and is now an important place for business and culture in the area. One of the most famous spots in Nyíregyháza is its zoo, which is known all over Europe for having more than 500 different kinds of animals.

Geography

Nyíregyháza is found in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County in the northern Plain area. This region also includes Hajdú-Bihar County and Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok County. The city sits in the middle of Nyírség, an area known for farming. It is easy to reach because many important roads cross there, leading towards Sub-Carpathia and Transylvania.

The weather in Nyíregyháza changes a lot through the year. The average temperature is about 10.7 °C, with July being the warmest at around 21.4 °C and January the coldest at about −1.2 °C. The city gets about 546 millimetres of rain each year, with July being the wettest month and January the driest.

History

Nyíregyháza has a long history, with its first written mention dating back to 1209. Originally called Nyír, it got its current name when a church was built there in 1326. The town grew over the centuries, especially after the War for Independence led by Prince Francis II Rákóczi, when many new people, mostly Slovaks, moved in.

In the 19th century, Nyíregyháza became an important place, getting new buildings like a town hall, schools, and a theater. It became the seat of Szabolcs County in 1876. During World War II, the city faced difficult times, and many buildings were destroyed. After the war, Nyíregyháza grew quickly and became a center for education and tourism. Today, it is known for having a bar on almost every street.

Population

Nyíregyháza has 118,001 people living there, making it the seventh-largest city in Hungary.

Economy

After the fall of Communism, many foreign companies started operating in the city. In the early 2000s, big companies like Hübner Flextronics Ltd. and Hirsch's were major employers, but during tough economic times, they cut down on jobs. Today, the biggest public companies are Lego Manufacturing Kft. and Michelin Hungaria Abroncsgyártó Kft., which employ around 3,000 people.

Religion

Nyíregyháza has many different religious groups. In 2011, about 20% of people said they were Roman Catholic. The city shares a diocese with Debrecen and has Catholic schools and a kindergarten.

Around 10% were part of the Greek Catholic faith, making it an important center for this group. There is a special cathedral and several other churches, along with a theological college and schools.

About 16% belonged to the Reformed Church, with several temples and schools run by this group.

The Lutheran community made up about 7% of the population, with many churches and educational institutions supported by them.

A small number, about 127 people, identified as Orthodox, with a chapel in the city.

Transportation

Travelers can reach Nyíregyháza using the M3 motorway and several national highways, including roads 4, 36, 38, and 41. The city also has bus services connecting it to major towns in the area.

The city's roads are busy because many travelers pass through. The center has wide roads around it, and new highways like the M3 motorway and the east bypass (road 403) help reduce traffic. These roads let people travel to Budapest or Debrecen without going through the city center.

Nyíregyháza has an important railway station with frequent trains to Budapest, Debrecen, and Miskolc. The city is also the end point of a railway line from Szolnok to Záhony, with other branches to nearby towns. The station has been updated with a new, modern building.

Tourist sights

Nyíregyháza has several museums and exhibitions that show the city's rich cultural history. These include a collection from the International Medallion Art and Small Sculpture Creative Community of Nyíregyháza-Sóstó, which features works by contemporary artists in periodic exhibitions.

Politics

Nyíregyháza's current mayor is Ferenc Kovács from the Fidesz-KDNP party.

The city’s Municipal Assembly was elected in the 2019 local government elections. It has 22 members, including the mayor and representatives from different areas of the city. These members come from various political parties and groups.

List of mayors since 1990

Sport

Nyíregyháza has exciting sports teams! The city has a basketball team called Hübner Nyíregyháza BS that plays in the top league and holds games at the Continental Arena. There is also a football (soccer) club, Nyíregyháza Spartacus, which plays in the country's top tier and uses the Városi Stadion as their home field.

The city is also known for hosting the Rally Hungary, a big car race that is part of the European Rally Championship since 2019. Another important sports place is the Volán Sporttelep, where people can watch football and where there used to be a track for motorcycle racing. This venue has seen important racing events over the years.

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Hungary

Nyíregyháza has friendly partnerships with cities in many countries. These partnerships help the cities share ideas and support each other. Nyíregyháza is partnered with:

• Baia Mare, Romania
• Bielsko-Biała, Poland
• Harbin, China
• Iserlohn, Germany
• Kajaani, Finland
• Kiryat Motzkin, Israel
• Prešov, Slovakia
• Rzeszów, Poland
• Satu Mare, Romania
• St Albans, England, United Kingdom
• Uzhhorod, Ukraine

Notable residents

Nyíregyháza is home to many talented people. Some well-known residents include painter Gyula Benczúr, professional tennis player Márton Fucsovics, and footballer Dániel Gazdag. Other famous individuals from the city are Miklós Kállay, Gyula Krúdy, Slovak politician Jozef Markuš, György Mitró, and author Gábor Nógrádi.

Broadcasting

Near the city of Nyíregyháza is a tall radio tower. It was built in 1952 and is 115 metres high. This tower helps send out radio signals on a special frequency called 1251 kHz using a method known as AM.

References and notes

References

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