Hungarian legends

One thing you notice as soon as you arrive in the city is how closely Debrecen is linked to Hungarian tradition and legends. Here it is in fact possible to find various elements that, at first glance, might seem strange but that actually bring with them truly fascinating stories and myths. Thanks to the information I have found on the spot and the information that the inhabitants of this city have given me, today I am here to reveal to you some of the most "secret" details.

- The legend of the Lycium tree. Not far from the great Yellow Church, which dominates Kossuth Square and which represents the center of Debrecen, you can find a particular tree, decorated with a plaque that reports, in Hungarian, the legend of this tree. History has it that in the 16th century, during the Reformation period, there was a deep feud between Catholics and Protestants, represented by Bàlint and Ambrose. Ambrose, a representative of the Catholic Church, exhausted by the discussion, cut a lithium branch and planted it and ground it, starting with "if this branch becomes a tree, your religion will mean something." The branch first became a bush and then a real tree and is today a symbol of the Reformation.

- The Phoenix. As can be seen from the decoration on the fountain in the main square, but also in the symbol of Debrecen, the Fenica is a recurring animal: not everyone knows it but the city has been destroyed several times by fire - as evidenced by the "Church Without a Roof", knocked down by the flames twice before losing the roof forever - but it always stood up, just like a Phoenix, which still represents it today.

- Debrecen or the "Calvinist Rome". The city has been defined in this way for years because it has become a bastion of Calvinism and faith, thus influencing the development of the entire area. The metaphor is therefore fitting: as Catholicism defined the growth of Rome, so Calvinism defined that of Debrecen.

- This is where the famous Goulash was born. Fundamental dish of the Hungarian culinary tradition, not everyone knows that he was born right here, although many claim he was born among the shepherds' colonies, so by definition he would not have a precise city of birth. To date, the dish is equally widespread throughout the territory.

- It is historically a Market Town recognized throughout the country. Some rests of its Market Town nature can still be seen today, such as the historic Fish Square, which now houses pubs and restaurants and a memorial statue. The merchants' houses are still visible in Piac Utca and outside the Hotel Aranybika it houses a piece of the old "mud bridge", one of the first real Hungarian roads, today an archaeological piece.

- Debrecen as the "Backup Capital". At times when Budapest was under attack or conquered by enemies, Debrecen was the capital of Hungary, and is today the second largest city in the country, still carrying its former glory with it.

Sources :

https://debrecentoday.com/

http://www.nemzetijelkepek.hu/onkormanyzat-debrecen_en.shtml

http://reformacio.ma/v/guide-booklet-for-a-city-walking-tour/