Győr

Győr, on the Rába River

Győr, German Raab, historic city and seat of Győr-Moson-Sopron megye (county), northwestern Hungary. It is located on the Moson arm of the Danube, the meandering southern arm in Hungary proper, where the south bank tributaries, Rába and Rábca, converge. The Marcal River joins the Rába just south of Győr. The inner town and its environs are composed of narrow winding streets with interesting old houses in an assortment of architectural styles, interlaced with the meandering river channels.

A Roman town, Arrabona, originally succeeded a Neolithic settlement and a Celtic merchant community. Győr continued for centuries as a prosperous agricultural centre with special focus on horse breeding, viticulture, and grain production. Stephen I made it a county seat. It received municipal privileges in 1271. The Püspökvár (fortified bishop’s palace), built in the 13th century and remodeled in the 16th century, stands atop the Káptalan Hill, adjacent to an impressive cathedral (12th–17th century). Several other churches are of historical and architectural significance. The Xantus János Museum presents an interesting array of exhibits related to the city’s history, archaeology, medical history, fine and applied arts, and philately. In the 17th century Győr became a fortified stronghold against the Turks, and it was chartered as a free royal town in 1743.

Győr is home to Széchenyi István University of Applied Sciences and the internationally acclaimed Ballet Company of Győr, which performs in the National Theatre. The city is a strategic river crossing and is connected by rail and road with Vienna, 80 miles (129 km) northwest, and Budapest, 72 miles southeast. Pop. (2011) 129,527; (2017 est.) 129,301.