Gyula, located in the southeastern part of Békés County near the Romanian border, is a historic spa town and one of the most important cultural, tourist, and economic centers of the Körös region. The city lies at the junction of the Great Hungarian Plain and the Banat, on the banks of the Fehér-Körös River, making it a natural meeting point between Eastern and Southern Hungary. This favorable geographical position has shaped Gyula’s role for centuries: the city is a key location for cross-border cooperation, economic relations, and cultural dialogue.

Gyula has a rich historical heritage. The city’s iconic building, the Gyula Castle—Central and Eastern Europe’s only intact Gothic lowland brick fortress—symbolizes the harmonious meeting of past and present. The Gyula Castle Theatre, the Almásy Mansion Visitor Centre, and the renewed historic downtown serve as focal points of cultural life and urban identity. The Saint Nicholas Park, the Museum Garden, and the Snail Garden provide nature-close recreational spaces that not only enrich the cityscape but also contribute to the mental and physical well-being of the population.

Gyula is one of Hungary’s best-known spa towns. The Gyula Castle Bath and the Gyula Medicinal Spa are internationally renowned, year-round tourist attractions built on natural thermal waters, therapeutic services, and a wide range of recreational opportunities. The city is also proud of its gastronomic heritage: Gyula sausage and Gyula pálinka are among the most recognized symbols of Hungarian food culture, preserving local traditions while enhancing the city’s reputation both at home and abroad.

Sustainability and climate awareness play a key role in Gyula’s urban development. The city has its own climate strategy, which sets specific goals for improving energy efficiency, increasing the share of renewable energy sources, expanding green areas, and developing public transportation. The 2025–2029 economic program prioritizes sustainable development, the strengthening of the local economy, and the support of community cooperation.

Gyula has an active and vibrant civil community network: numerous local associations, foundations, and civil organizations operate in the fields of culture, environmental protection, sports, and social solidarity. The city provides strong support for civil cooperation and citizen participation in decision-making, recognizing that sustainable urban development is built upon an active, responsible, and cooperative community.

Gyula’s cultural and tourist life is enriched by traditional and modern events such as the Gyula Castle Theatre Festival, the Gyula Pálinka Festival, the Gyulavári Castle Days, the Erkel Student Festival, and the Border Fortress Days. These events not only strengthen local identity and traditions but also serve as exemplary models of sustainable tourism and community engagement.

Gyula is therefore a city of tradition, nature, and innovation—where the preservation of historical values, environmental responsibility, and strong community cohesion collectively shape the path to the future. The city seeks to present an example of a green, healthy, and livable future in the heart of the Great Hungarian Plain.

Further information about the city can be found on the www.gyula.hu website.