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Gyor History, Hungary

Gyor is the capital of Gyor-Moson-Sopron County and is known as the most significant city found in northwest Hungary. Gyor is also one of the seven chief cities of Hungary. Here are some facts to enjoy in Gyor History.

Gyor History – During the Years Before Christ

It is believed that Gyor had inhabitants since the ancient times. Similar with other Hungarian towns and cities, the Celts settled in the area as early as the 5th century BC. The inhabitants called the town Arrabona. The Roman merchants moved to the town by the 1st century BC.

Gyor History – During the Early Centuries after Christ

During 10AD, the Roman army settled in the area and they called it Pannonia. However, they did not live there for long. In the 4th century, the Romans left Pannonia because they were frequently attacked by the tribes from the east.

The Slavs inhabited the place in the 500s. Other tribes which settled in Gyor in the early centuries were the Lombards, Avars, Moravians, and the Franks.

In the 900s, the Magyars reached the town and settled there and strengthened the former Roman bastion. The first king of Hungary, Stephen I, established an episcopate there and named the town Gyor. At first, the Hungarians lived in tents and afterwards in cottages.

Gyor experienced the suffering and misfortunes carved in the history of Hungary. When the Mongols invaded Hungary in the 13th century, the town was occupied by the foreigners. In 1271, the Czech army obliterated Gyor.

Gyor History – Ottoman Era in Hungary

When the Ottomans arrived in Hungary, Krist of Lamberg, the commander of Gyor, made a bold decision of having the town burned. This was because he felt that it would be pointless to protect the town from the invaders. When the Turks arrived in town, they did not find anything but blackened ruins.

Gyor was reconstructed. Around it is a city wall and a castle. The buildings were mostly constructed in Renaissance style making the new look very different from what it was before the reconstruction. The only elements that remained from the old Gyor are the streets and the main square.

After the passing of the Hungarian captain, Baron Janos Cseszneky, in 1594, the Turks were able to occupy the whole town. The occupation was short-lived because in 1598, the Hungarian and Austrian armies were able to regain control over Gyor.

Gyor History – 18th and 19th Century

When the 18th century came, Gyor became a very wealthy town. Maria Theresa raised its status to a free royal town. When Catholic religious orders moved to town, they had built churches, monasteries, hospitals and schools.

During the middle of the 19th century, Gyor became a significant town in trading because of the steamship traffic in the River Danube. However, when the railway connecting Budapest to Kanizsa was completed, this significance of the town was lost. The government counteracted this deficit with industrialization.

Gyor History – 20th Century

The town continued to thrive until the Second World War when its Jewish population was directed to the ghetto. Some Jews who stayed in the town were killed on the 26th of March 1945, only a few hours from liberation.

The development of the town continued after the war. The success shown in Gyor History proves the city to be one of the most significant governmental and cultural capitals of Hungary.

Other historical events can be read through Brno History, Czech Republic and Vienna History, Austria.