It's often overshadowed by Budapest, but Debrecen has twice been the capital of Hungary, most recently at the end of World War II.
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Roncsbar —
Hungary's best-known heavy metal band, Tankcsapda, owns Roncsbar, a music and drinks venue in downtown Debrecen with a surreal junk shop vibe.
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Bird's-eye view —
The city's eclectic architectural style is best appreciated from on high. The variety is a result of frequent blazes -- and subsequent new construction -- that led Debrecen to form one of Europe's first-ever fire brigades.
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Flower carnival —
What started as a cycle event evolved into Debrecen's annual flower festival. Today more than 3 million blooms are used to create floral floats that parade through the city.
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MODEM gallery —
Debrecen's impressive modern showcase, MODEM, hosts eclectic exhibitions including works from cutting-edge Chinese artists and others depicting local culture.
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Reformed Great Church —
From the west tower of the city's largest church there's a grand overview of Debrecen and its surroundings -- a vast sea of grassland stretching across the Carpathian Basin.
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Library of the Reformed College of Debrecen —
At the heart of this student city is a beautiful library with more than half a million books set amid serene green colonnades and soaring galleries.
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Aquaticum Pleasure Bath —
In a forest just outside Debrecen, the venue of this year's Hungarian National Water-Chute Championships is also home to a popular thermal spa.
