Debrecen is the third largest and second most populous settlement in Hungary, the seat of Hajdú-Bihar county and the Debrecen district, a city with county rights. About 38.2% of the county's population lives here, and it is the largest city in Tiszántúl. It is sometimes referred to as "Calvinist Rome" or "Civic City". It is the spiritual, cultural, economic, tourism and transport center of the Eastern Hungary region, the Northern Great Plain statistical region and the Tiszántúl landscape, and it is one of the most dynamically developing cities in Hungary.

It is first mentioned in writing in the 13th century. In 1361, Louis I gave the citizens of Debrecen the right to elect the city's judge and council, and in addition, it was granted the status of a market town, and in 1693, a free royal city. The main source of income was the cattle trade, animal husbandry and handicrafts. Despite the booming economy, the buildings remained simple and the streets were barely paved. Multi-storey buildings were rare until the 19th century. Between 1450 and 1507 Debrecen was the seat of the noble Hunyadi family. Its name was known throughout the continent for its famous fairs and its reformed school, which was also outstanding in European terms.