Trip To Gyula

Friday night we were invited to have a traditional home-cooked meal at our Hungarian friends apartment, Ferdi and Melinda. The meal was delicious and we really enjoyed it. It was a beef stew with dumplings. After dinner we sat around talking and digesting our big meal. The topic of travel came up and they told us they would like to take us to Gyula. They told us about this adorable town and its castle. There's a castle there? Then yes, please, I would like to go!

Saturday morning they picked us up and we drove to Gyula. It is just south of Debrecen on the eastern side of Hungary. In fact you can see Romania from on top of the castle. When we arrived we headed first for the castle. It was not at all crowded and we went straight to the top of it. Climbing the winding staircase to the top was a bit challenging, but the panorama view was wonderful.

Gyula Castle

Protecting the castle.

View from the top of the castle.

I'm Queen of the world. Sorry couldn't help it. :)

After taking in the view we climbed down and looked around the second level, which was still pretty high.

Enjoying the second level.

We then headed down to the main level to look at the rooms. There were many rooms including the dining hall, the bedrooms, pantry, arsenal, and torture chambers. 

Ben sticking his head up ye' ole chimney. 

The front gate of the castle.

Torture room. 

Cheese. 

Gyula Castle was built around 1403 and helped defend Hungary against the Ottoman Empire. The castle has remained intact even though it was taken over by the Turks for a while. 

When we finished our tour of the castle we did a little medieval archery.

I don't think I will be defending the castle anytime soon with
my archery skills. 

We tired to figure out what kind of trees
these were. We thought they might be
a cottonwood tree, but we really don't know.

Close up of tree flowers. If you know what kind it is let us know.
They smell wonderful!

We then enjoyed a drink at the cafe near the castle. The caffeine gave the guys enough energy to try a ricksha.

Getting ready for the ride.

Tired after biking.

The guys took us to the center of town where we had a quick look around.

A little park near the center of town.

Once we finished with the ricksha it was time for lunch. We had pizza and relaxed for a bit. Then we walked more around town.

We saw this random car from the U.S.A.

Can you see the artwork projected in the
mirror?

Enjoying the downtown.

Gyula was a beautiful town with lots of charm and we are really happy we got to visit there. Our next stop was at a palace and nature preserve.

I bet you didn't know Bruce Wayne lives here.

Sign to the park.

This bridge was kind of scary. The railings were very wobbly. 

Beautiful, lush scenery. 

After the palace/ nature preserve visit it was time to head back home to Debrecen. We did stop about half way for ice cream and to enjoy the sunset--a perfect ending to a lovely day. We cannot thank Ferdi and Melinda enough for showing us around!