Baja, Hungary
Encyclopedia
Baja (ˈbɒjɒ) is a city in Bács-Kiskun}}, southern Hungary
. It is the second largest city in the county, after the county seat at Kecskemét
, and is home to around 37,000 people.
The environs of Baja have been continuously inhabited since the end of the Iron Age
, but there is evidence of human presence since prehistoric times
. The settlement itself was most likely established in the 14th century. After the Ottoman Empire
conquered Hungary, it grew to prominence more than other nearby settlements, and was granted town rights in 1696.
Today, Baja plays an important role in the life of Northern Bácska as a local commercial centre and the provider of public services such as education and healthcare.
It has several road and a railway connection to other parts of the country, and also offers local Public transport for its residents.
Being close to the Danube
and the forest of Gemenc
, as well as having its own cultural sights, makes it a candidate for tourism, but this is not well established yet.
Baja is the seat of the Baja municipality.
or less likely Croatian
. The name means "bull".
The Latin
name of the town is Francillo. Baja used to have also a German name: Frankenstadt.
The South Slavs, Croats
(who belong to Bunjevci
group of Croats
) and Serbs
, who live in the city call Baja by the same name as Magyars do, but with a slightly different pronunciation ([baja] instead of [bɒjɒ]). Its spelling in Serbian Cyrillic writing is Баја.
in the 16th and 17th centuries it was the official center for the region and it possessed a fortification
. This era saw the immigration of Bunjevci
) and Serbs
into the town. There was also an active Franciscan
mission with monks from Bosnia
.
When Hungary was a part of the Habsburg Empire, the city was also settled by Germans
and Hungarians alongside some Jews. Due to its location on the Danube
, it became a transportation and commercial hub for the region. This was where grain and wine was loaded onto boats to be transported upriver to Austria
and Germany. Until 1765, the inhabitants belonged to three nations; Croats
(under name of Dalmatia
ns), the Germans
and the Serbs
. The Magyars – who escaped from the Ottoman Empire
to the reduced Kingdom of Hungary
– returned to the Great Plain
after Hungary
regained her lost territories. Following this, according to a government decree the Natio Dalmatica was changed into the Natio Hungarica, but even in 1768, the elected mayor swore the oath in the Croatian language
in the Franciscan
Church.
In 1699, Baja was Bács-Bodrog county's most "industrialized" city.
In the 19th century Baja became a minor railway hub, but its importance declined as the railway to Fiume
(Rijeka) was built in order to get Hungarian grain seaborne. The city was still a commercial and service center for the region.
In 1918, after World War I, the ceasefire line placed the city under administration of the newly formed Kingdom of Yugoslavia
. By the Treaty of Trianon
from 1920, the city was assigned to Hungary, and became the capital of the reduced county of .
After World War II the city became known for its textile mill and because of its important bridge crossing the Danube
. Its importance is still evident as people from the Bácska region
(Serbian: Bačka
) of Hungary come for higher education, government and business services.
The city's population was growing rapidly in the 20th century (especially in interwar period
and during the socialist era
), but in the last decade, it slightly declined.
The demographic evolution of Baja is the following:
; 1.3% Croats
; 0.4% Serbs; 0.1% Slovaks
;
As of 1 January 2009, there are 15,969 houses.
and 108 km (67 mi) southwest of Kecskemét, at the crossing of Road 55 and Road 51, on the river Danube
. Baja's main river is Sugovica
(also called Kamarás-Duna).
Baja is at the meeting point of two large regions: the Great Hungarian Plain
(Alföld) and Transdanubia
(Dunántúl). The River Danube
separates the two regions. West of the city, the Gemenc
forest spreads. Gemenc is part of the Danube-Drava National Park
. It can be discovered from Baja via a narrow gauge railway.
Baja is located on the left bank of the river, on the Great Hungarian Plain. However, Baja is more similar to the cities of Transdanubia
. To the east, arable crops such as maize, wheat and barley
are grown.
, with the international harbour. Baja gives home to two extensive corporations: to AXIÁL Co. and DÉLHÚS Co. Axiál sells agricultural machines all over Hungary, while Délhús produces meat products. Gemenc Forest and Game Co. Ltd. is managing the nearby nature reserve
, Gemenc
. There are numerous commercial structures in the city, which prove important to the people living in and around Baja. A few years ago, a TESCO
supermarket opened.
, most of them with permanent exhibitions. These include the István Türr
Museum (exhibits objects of former local life), the István Nagy Gallery (a collection of Nagy's paintings), and the Bunjevci House (about Bunjevci
traditions). The annual Fisherman's Soup Boiling Festival is a famous event in Europe, which comprises a great fish soup boiling contest, and other cultural occurrences.
There are 15 churches in the city, representing the religion of each ethnicity. These religions include (with the number of believers) Roman Catholic (25 203), Protestant
(1 623), Evangelist
(268), Unitarian
, Orthodox
(90), Lutheran and Judaism (27).
Located relatively close to the Great Hungarian Plain
, to Gemenc
and Transdanubia
, the city is also feasible as a base for regional tourists.
There are three notable educational institutes in the city: Béla III High school
, famous for high teaching skills; Eötvös József College, the only top-level educational institution of Northern Bácska, and the German center. A smaller observatory also exists.
. The library's building used to be Baja's synagogue. The building was offered by the city's Jewish community. The Holocaust memorial stands in the synagogue's garden.
The library has a very large collection of pre-18th century books. The "Ancient book" collection includes 4,352 volumes, and a lot more writings, because many of the volumes are collectives (for example, one of them contains 17 writings). The library has three incunabulum
s.
with:
Argentan
, France Sombor
, Serbia Waiblingen
, Germany Devizes
, UK Hódmezővásárhely
, Hungary Târgu Mureş, Romania Sângeorgiu de Pădure
, Romania Thisted
, Denmark Labin
, Croatia
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
. It is the second largest city in the county, after the county seat at Kecskemét
Kecskemét
Kecskemét is a city in the central part of Hungary. It is the 8th largest city of the country, and the county seat of Bács-Kiskun.Kecskemét lies halfway between the capital Budapest and the country's third-largest city, Szeged, 86 kilometres from both of them and almost equal distance from the two...
, and is home to around 37,000 people.
The environs of Baja have been continuously inhabited since the end of the Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
, but there is evidence of human presence since prehistoric times
Prehistory
Prehistory is the span of time before recorded history. Prehistory can refer to the period of human existence before the availability of those written records with which recorded history begins. More broadly, it refers to all the time preceding human existence and the invention of writing...
. The settlement itself was most likely established in the 14th century. After the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
conquered Hungary, it grew to prominence more than other nearby settlements, and was granted town rights in 1696.
Today, Baja plays an important role in the life of Northern Bácska as a local commercial centre and the provider of public services such as education and healthcare.
It has several road and a railway connection to other parts of the country, and also offers local Public transport for its residents.
Being close to the Danube
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
and the forest of Gemenc
Gemenc
Gemenc is a unique forest that is found between Szekszárd and Baja, in Hungary. This is the only remaining tidal area of the Danube in Hungary. The wood's fauna include stags, boars, storks, grey herons, gyrfalcons, meadow eagles, and kites. Various amphibians and reptiles can also be found...
, as well as having its own cultural sights, makes it a candidate for tourism, but this is not well established yet.
Baja is the seat of the Baja municipality.
Etymology
The city's Hungarian name is derived from a Turkic languageTurkic languages
The Turkic languages constitute a language family of at least thirty five languages, spoken by Turkic peoples across a vast area from Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean to Siberia and Western China, and are considered to be part of the proposed Altaic language family.Turkic languages are spoken...
or less likely Croatian
Croatian language
Croatian is the collective name for the standard language and dialects spoken by Croats, principally in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Serbian province of Vojvodina and other neighbouring countries...
. The name means "bull".
The Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
name of the town is Francillo. Baja used to have also a German name: Frankenstadt.
The South Slavs, Croats
Croats
Croats are a South Slavic ethnic group mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and nearby countries. There are around 4 million Croats living inside Croatia and up to 4.5 million throughout the rest of the world. Responding to political, social and economic pressure, many Croats have...
(who belong to Bunjevci
Bunjevci
Bunjevci are a South Slavic community and ethnic group living mostly in the Bačka region of Serbia and southern Hungary...
group of Croats
Croats
Croats are a South Slavic ethnic group mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and nearby countries. There are around 4 million Croats living inside Croatia and up to 4.5 million throughout the rest of the world. Responding to political, social and economic pressure, many Croats have...
) and Serbs
Serbs
The Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in...
, who live in the city call Baja by the same name as Magyars do, but with a slightly different pronunciation ([baja] instead of [bɒjɒ]). Its spelling in Serbian Cyrillic writing is Баја.
History
The city is first mentioned in 1308. During the Turkish ConquestOttoman wars in Europe
The wars of the Ottoman Empire in Europe are also sometimes referred to as the Ottoman Wars or as Turkish Wars, particularly in older, European texts.- Rise :...
in the 16th and 17th centuries it was the official center for the region and it possessed a fortification
Fortification
Fortifications are military constructions and buildings designed for defence in warfare and military bases. Humans have constructed defensive works for many thousands of years, in a variety of increasingly complex designs...
. This era saw the immigration of Bunjevci
Bunjevci
Bunjevci are a South Slavic community and ethnic group living mostly in the Bačka region of Serbia and southern Hungary...
) and Serbs
Serbs
The Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in...
into the town. There was also an active Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
mission with monks from Bosnia
Bosnia Province, Ottoman Empire
The Bosnia Vilayet was an Ottoman vilayet, mostly based on the territory of the present-day state of Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as most of Slavonia, Lika and Dalmatia in present-day Croatia. It bordered Kosovo Vilayet to the south. Before the administrative reform in 1864, it was called the...
.
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
and Hungarians alongside some Jews. Due to its location on the Danube
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
, it became a transportation and commercial hub for the region. This was where grain and wine was loaded onto boats to be transported upriver to Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
and Germany. Until 1765, the inhabitants belonged to three nations; Croats
Croats
Croats are a South Slavic ethnic group mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and nearby countries. There are around 4 million Croats living inside Croatia and up to 4.5 million throughout the rest of the world. Responding to political, social and economic pressure, many Croats have...
(under name of Dalmatia
Dalmatia
Dalmatia is a historical region on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. It stretches from the island of Rab in the northwest to the Bay of Kotor in the southeast. The hinterland, the Dalmatian Zagora, ranges from fifty kilometers in width in the north to just a few kilometers in the south....
ns), the Germans
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
and the Serbs
Serbs
The Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in...
. The Magyars – who escaped from the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
to the reduced Kingdom of Hungary
Kingdom of Hungary
The Kingdom of Hungary comprised present-day Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia , Transylvania , Carpatho Ruthenia , Vojvodina , Burgenland , and other smaller territories surrounding present-day Hungary's borders...
– returned to the Great Plain
Great Hungarian Plain
The Great Hungarian Plain is a plain occupying the southern and eastern part of Hungary, some parts of the Eastern Slovak Lowland, southwestern Ukraine, the Transcarpathian Lowland , western Romania , northern Serbia , and eastern Croatia...
after Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
regained her lost territories. Following this, according to a government decree the Natio Dalmatica was changed into the Natio Hungarica, but even in 1768, the elected mayor swore the oath in the Croatian language
Croatian language
Croatian is the collective name for the standard language and dialects spoken by Croats, principally in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Serbian province of Vojvodina and other neighbouring countries...
in the Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
Church.
In 1699, Baja was Bács-Bodrog county's most "industrialized" city.
In the 19th century Baja became a minor railway hub, but its importance declined as the railway to Fiume
Rijeka
Rijeka is the principal seaport and the third largest city in Croatia . It is located on Kvarner Bay, an inlet of the Adriatic Sea and has a population of 128,735 inhabitants...
(Rijeka) was built in order to get Hungarian grain seaborne. The city was still a commercial and service center for the region.
In 1918, after World War I, the ceasefire line placed the city under administration of the newly formed Kingdom of Yugoslavia
Kingdom of Yugoslavia
The Kingdom of Yugoslavia was a state stretching from the Western Balkans to Central Europe which existed during the often-tumultuous interwar era of 1918–1941...
. By the Treaty of Trianon
Treaty of Trianon
The Treaty of Trianon was the peace agreement signed in 1920, at the end of World War I, between the Allies of World War I and Hungary . The treaty greatly redefined and reduced Hungary's borders. From its borders before World War I, it lost 72% of its territory, which was reduced from to...
from 1920, the city was assigned to Hungary, and became the capital of the reduced county of .
After World War II the city became known for its textile mill and because of its important bridge crossing the Danube
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
. Its importance is still evident as people from the Bácska region
Backa
Bačka is a geographical area within the Pannonian plain bordered by the river Danube to the west and south, and by the river Tisza to the east of which confluence is located near Titel...
(Serbian: Bačka
Backa
Bačka is a geographical area within the Pannonian plain bordered by the river Danube to the west and south, and by the river Tisza to the east of which confluence is located near Titel...
) of Hungary come for higher education, government and business services.
Historical population
Hungary between the two world wars
This article is about the history of Hungary from October 1918 to November 1940.-Hungarian Democratic Republic:On October 31, 1918, the Hungarian Democratic Republic was created by revolution that started in Budapest after the dissolution and break-up of Austria-Hungary at the end of World War I...
and during the socialist era
People's Republic of Hungary
The People's Republic of Hungary or Hungarian People's Republic was the official state name of Hungary from 1949 to 1989 during its Communist period under the guidance of the Soviet Union. The state remained in existence until 1989 when opposition forces consolidated in forcing the regime to...
), but in the last decade, it slightly declined.
The demographic evolution of Baja is the following:
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1870 | 21,248 |
| 1910 | 24,588 |
| 1920 | 22,522 |
| 1941 | 32,084 |
| 1949 | 27,936 |
| 1960 | 30,263 |
| 1970 | 35,575 |
| 1980 | 38,523 |
| 1990 | 38,686 |
| 2001 | 37,916 |
| 2008 | 37,573 |
Demographics
The city has 37,707 residents as of 1 January 2009. In the 2001 Census, the slightly larger population of 38,360 reported its ethnicity thus: 93.5% Hungarians; 2.7% GermansGermans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
; 1.3% Croats
Croats
Croats are a South Slavic ethnic group mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and nearby countries. There are around 4 million Croats living inside Croatia and up to 4.5 million throughout the rest of the world. Responding to political, social and economic pressure, many Croats have...
; 0.4% Serbs; 0.1% Slovaks
Slovaks
The Slovaks, Slovak people, or Slovakians are a West Slavic people that primarily inhabit Slovakia and speak the Slovak language, which is closely related to the Czech language.Most Slovaks today live within the borders of the independent Slovakia...
;
- 0.5% Roma people;
- 6.1% unknown or did not say.
As of 1 January 2009, there are 15,969 houses.
Geography
Location
Baja is located about 150 km (93 mi) south of BudapestBudapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
and 108 km (67 mi) southwest of Kecskemét, at the crossing of Road 55 and Road 51, on the river Danube
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
. Baja's main river is Sugovica
Sugovica
The Sugovica is a small river in southern Hungary, near Baja. It is also known as Kamarás-Duna. The Sugovica is an old tributary of the Danube....
(also called Kamarás-Duna).
Baja is at the meeting point of two large regions: the Great Hungarian Plain
Great Hungarian Plain
The Great Hungarian Plain is a plain occupying the southern and eastern part of Hungary, some parts of the Eastern Slovak Lowland, southwestern Ukraine, the Transcarpathian Lowland , western Romania , northern Serbia , and eastern Croatia...
(Alföld) and Transdanubia
Transdanubia
Transdanubia is a traditional region of Hungary.-Traditional interpretation:The borders of Transdanubia are the Danube river , the Drava and Mura rivers and the foothills of the Alps roughly along the border between Hungary and Austria .Transdanubia comprises the counties of Győr-Moson-Sopron,...
(Dunántúl). The River Danube
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
separates the two regions. West of the city, the Gemenc
Gemenc
Gemenc is a unique forest that is found between Szekszárd and Baja, in Hungary. This is the only remaining tidal area of the Danube in Hungary. The wood's fauna include stags, boars, storks, grey herons, gyrfalcons, meadow eagles, and kites. Various amphibians and reptiles can also be found...
forest spreads. Gemenc is part of the Danube-Drava National Park
Danube-Drava National Park
Danube-Drava National Park was founded in 1996 and is located in the south west of Hungary. Current area is 490 square kilometres and the majority of national park sites are located within Danube and Drava floodland areas. Altogether 190 km² are Ramsar wetlands. Black stork and White-tailed eagle...
. It can be discovered from Baja via a narrow gauge railway.
Baja is located on the left bank of the river, on the Great Hungarian Plain. However, Baja is more similar to the cities of Transdanubia
Transdanubia
Transdanubia is a traditional region of Hungary.-Traditional interpretation:The borders of Transdanubia are the Danube river , the Drava and Mura rivers and the foothills of the Alps roughly along the border between Hungary and Austria .Transdanubia comprises the counties of Győr-Moson-Sopron,...
. To the east, arable crops such as maize, wheat and barley
Barley
Barley is a major cereal grain, a member of the grass family. It serves as a major animal fodder, as a base malt for beer and certain distilled beverages, and as a component of various health foods...
are grown.
Climate
Baja is at the meeting of the continental and mediterrenean region of Hungary. The summers are hot (the temperature sometimes goes up to 35–36 °C) and dry, while the winters are cold and snowy. It often rains in the spring.Economy
The city plays an important role in Hungary's water transportShip transport
Ship transport is watercraft carrying people or goods . Sea transport has been the largest carrier of freight throughout recorded history. Although the importance of sea travel for passengers has decreased due to aviation, it is effective for short trips and pleasure cruises...
, with the international harbour. Baja gives home to two extensive corporations: to AXIÁL Co. and DÉLHÚS Co. Axiál sells agricultural machines all over Hungary, while Délhús produces meat products. Gemenc Forest and Game Co. Ltd. is managing the nearby nature reserve
Nature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
, Gemenc
Gemenc
Gemenc is a unique forest that is found between Szekszárd and Baja, in Hungary. This is the only remaining tidal area of the Danube in Hungary. The wood's fauna include stags, boars, storks, grey herons, gyrfalcons, meadow eagles, and kites. Various amphibians and reptiles can also be found...
. There are numerous commercial structures in the city, which prove important to the people living in and around Baja. A few years ago, a TESCO
Tesco
Tesco plc is a global grocery and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Cheshunt, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues and the second-largest measured by profits...
supermarket opened.
Culture, education, and life
The city has some museums and art galleriesArt gallery
An art gallery or art museum is a building or space for the exhibition of art, usually visual art.Museums can be public or private, but what distinguishes a museum is the ownership of a collection...
, most of them with permanent exhibitions. These include the István Türr
István Türr
István Türr , was a Hungarian soldier, revolutionary, canal architect and engineer, remembered in Italy for his role in that country's unification and his association with Garibaldi...
Museum (exhibits objects of former local life), the István Nagy Gallery (a collection of Nagy's paintings), and the Bunjevci House (about Bunjevci
Bunjevci
Bunjevci are a South Slavic community and ethnic group living mostly in the Bačka region of Serbia and southern Hungary...
traditions). The annual Fisherman's Soup Boiling Festival is a famous event in Europe, which comprises a great fish soup boiling contest, and other cultural occurrences.
There are 15 churches in the city, representing the religion of each ethnicity. These religions include (with the number of believers) Roman Catholic (25 203), Protestant
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
(1 623), Evangelist
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
(268), Unitarian
Unitarianism
Unitarianism is a Christian theological movement, named for its understanding of God as one person, in direct contrast to Trinitarianism which defines God as three persons coexisting consubstantially as one in being....
, Orthodox
Eastern Orthodox Church
The Orthodox Church, officially called the Orthodox Catholic Church and commonly referred to as the Eastern Orthodox Church, is the second largest Christian denomination in the world, with an estimated 300 million adherents mainly in the countries of Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece,...
(90), Lutheran and Judaism (27).
Located relatively close to the Great Hungarian Plain
Great Hungarian Plain
The Great Hungarian Plain is a plain occupying the southern and eastern part of Hungary, some parts of the Eastern Slovak Lowland, southwestern Ukraine, the Transcarpathian Lowland , western Romania , northern Serbia , and eastern Croatia...
, to Gemenc
Gemenc
Gemenc is a unique forest that is found between Szekszárd and Baja, in Hungary. This is the only remaining tidal area of the Danube in Hungary. The wood's fauna include stags, boars, storks, grey herons, gyrfalcons, meadow eagles, and kites. Various amphibians and reptiles can also be found...
and Transdanubia
Transdanubia
Transdanubia is a traditional region of Hungary.-Traditional interpretation:The borders of Transdanubia are the Danube river , the Drava and Mura rivers and the foothills of the Alps roughly along the border between Hungary and Austria .Transdanubia comprises the counties of Győr-Moson-Sopron,...
, the city is also feasible as a base for regional tourists.
There are three notable educational institutes in the city: Béla III High school
Béla III High School
Béla III High School was founded in 1757. It can be found in Baja.-School introduction:There are more than 50 teachers in the young and innovative school staff....
, famous for high teaching skills; Eötvös József College, the only top-level educational institution of Northern Bácska, and the German center. A smaller observatory also exists.
German center
Tha MNÁMK (Magyarországi Németek Általános Művelődési Központja; English: General Culture Center of Germans Living in Hungary) is internationally respected for providing German education for the German minority living in Bácska, and in Hungary. Students get up-to-date education with modern tools using their mother tongue.Endre Ady Library
Baja's library got its name from the famous Hungarian poet, Endre AdyEndre Ady
Endre Ady was a Hungarian poet.-Biography:Ady was born in Érmindszent, Szilágy county . He belonged to an impoverished Calvinist noble family...
. The library's building used to be Baja's synagogue. The building was offered by the city's Jewish community. The Holocaust memorial stands in the synagogue's garden.
The library has a very large collection of pre-18th century books. The "Ancient book" collection includes 4,352 volumes, and a lot more writings, because many of the volumes are collectives (for example, one of them contains 17 writings). The library has three incunabulum
Incunabulum
Incunable, or sometimes incunabulum is a book, pamphlet, or broadside, that was printed — not handwritten — before the year 1501 in Europe...
s.
Notable people from Baja
- Lázár MészárosLázár MészárosGeneral Lázár Mészáros , was the Minister of War during the 1848 Hungarian Revolution....
, Hungary's first Defence ministerDefence ministerA defence minister is a person in a cabinet position in charge of a Ministry of Defence, which regulates the armed forces in some sovereign nations... - Kálmán TóthKálmán TóthKálmán Tóth was a Hungarian poet. He was born in Baja. The main theme of his poetry was love.He studied at the Franciscan Gymnasium in Baja between 1839 and 1845. Tóth was the best student in his class. He was a novice for a short time, but then started to study law...
, 19th century poet - Radovan JelašićRadovan JelašicRadovan Jelašić is a Serbian economist. He is the former Governor of the Serbian National Bank....
, Governor of the National Bank of SerbiaNational Bank of SerbiaNational Bank of Serbia is the central bank of Serbia; its main responsibilities are the protection of price stability and maintenance of financial stability.... - István TürrIstván TürrIstván Türr , was a Hungarian soldier, revolutionary, canal architect and engineer, remembered in Italy for his role in that country's unification and his association with Garibaldi...
, a general under Giuseppe GaribaldiGiuseppe GaribaldiGiuseppe Garibaldi was an Italian military and political figure. In his twenties, he joined the Carbonari Italian patriot revolutionaries, and fled Italy after a failed insurrection. Garibaldi took part in the War of the Farrapos and the Uruguayan Civil War leading the Italian Legion, and... - József Bayer, member of the Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of SciencesThe Hungarian Academy of Sciences is the most important and prestigious learned society of Hungary. Its seat is at the bank of the Danube in Budapest.-History:...
- Jenő Ernst, doctor, biologist, member of the Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of SciencesThe Hungarian Academy of Sciences is the most important and prestigious learned society of Hungary. Its seat is at the bank of the Danube in Budapest.-History:...
- Dénes Jánossy, corresponding memberAcademicianThe title Academician denotes a Full Member of an art, literary, or scientific academy.In many countries, it is an honorary title. There also exists a lower-rank title, variously translated Corresponding Member or Associate Member, .-Eastern Europe and China:"Academician" may also be a functional...
of the Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of SciencesThe Hungarian Academy of Sciences is the most important and prestigious learned society of Hungary. Its seat is at the bank of the Danube in Budapest.-History:... - András Jelky, a man who travelled around the world in a strange way (1730 – 1783)
- Dezső Miskolczy, researcher of Mental disorders, a member of Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of SciencesThe Hungarian Academy of Sciences is the most important and prestigious learned society of Hungary. Its seat is at the bank of the Danube in Budapest.-History:...
- Emma Sándor, composer, wife of Zoltán KodályZoltán KodályZoltán Kodály was a Hungarian composer, ethnomusicologist, pedagogue, linguist, and philosopher. He is best known internationally as the creator of the Kodály Method.-Life:Born in Kecskemét, Kodály learned to play the violin as a child....
- Ede TelcsEduard TelcsEduard "Ede" Telcs was a Hungarian sculptor; born at Baja, Hungary May 12, 1872; died 1948. At the age of twelve he went to Budapest and studied decorative art, but he soon left that city for Vienna, where he was educated for four years in the Allgemeine Bildhauerschule, winning the Füger gold...
, sculptor. - Ibolya DávidIbolya DávidIbolya Dávid born Baja, Hungary ,1954 is a Hungarian lawyer, politician, she was the president of the Hungarian Democratic Forum between 1999-2010. Dávid was the Hungarian Minister of Justice between 1998-2002. She was the only female Minister in the government of Viktor Orbán. Dávid is a member...
, present-day democrat politician of the Hungarian Democratic ForumHungarian Democratic ForumThe Hungarian Democratic Forum , abbreviated to MDF, was a centre-right political party in Hungary. It had a liberal conservative and Christian democratic ideology... - Joakim VujićJoakim VujicJoakim Vujić was a Serbian writer, dramatist, actor, traveler and polygot. He was one of the most accomplished Serbian dramatists and writers of the 18th century, director of Knjaževsko-Srpski Teatar in Kragujevac 1835/36...
, a well-known Serbian writer and playwright who lived and worked in the late eighteenth- and early nineteenth- century. - Bogoboj Atanacković (1826-1858) was a Serbian novelist and a friend of Branko RadičevićBranko RadicevicBranko Radičević , an influential Serbian poet, within a short space of time contrived to enhance Serbian literature with several perennially attractive poems.- Biography:...
.
Twin towns – Sister Cities
Baja is twinnedTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
with:
Argentan
Argentan
Argentan is a commune, and the seat of two cantons and of an arrondissement in the Orne department in north-western France.Argentan is located NE of Rennes, ENE of the Mont Saint-Michel, SE of Cherbourg, SSE of Caen, SW of Rouen and N of Le Mans....
, France Sombor
Sombor
Sombor is a city and municipality located in northwest part of Serbian autonomous province of Vojvodina. The city has a total population of 48,749 , while the Sombor municipality has 87,815 inhabitants...
, Serbia Waiblingen
Waiblingen
Waiblingen is a town in the southwest of Germany, located in the center of the densely populated Stuttgart Region, directly neighboring Stuttgart. It is the capital of the Rems-Murr district...
, Germany Devizes
Devizes
Devizes is a market town and civil parish in Wiltshire, England. The town is about southeast of Chippenham and about east of Trowbridge.Devizes serves as a centre for banks, solicitors and shops, with a large open market place where a market is held once a week...
, UK Hódmezővásárhely
Hódmezovásárhely
Hódmezővásárhely , Romanian: Ioneşti) is a city in south-east Hungary, on the Great Hungarian Plain, at the meeting point of the Békés-Csanádi Ridge and the clay grassland surrounding the river Tisza...
, Hungary Târgu Mureş, Romania Sângeorgiu de Pădure
Sângeorgiu de Padure
Sângeorgiu de Pădure is a town in Mureş County, Romania.Bezid , Bezidu Nou and Loţu villages are administratively part of the town.- History :...
, Romania Thisted
Thisted
Thisted is a town in Thisted municipality of Region Nordjylland, in Denmark. It has a population of 13,005 and is located in Thy, in northwestern Jutland....
, Denmark Labin
Labin
Labin is a town in Istria, Croatia, with a town population of 6,884 and 11,703 in the greater municipality ....
, Croatia
Nearby villages
- Pörböly
- DunafalvaDunafalvaDunafalva is a village and municipality in Bács-Kiskun county, in the Southern Great Plain region of southern Hungary.-Geography:It covers an area of and has a population of 1035 people ....
- ÉrsekcsanádÉrsekcsanádÉrsekcsanád is a village in Bács-Kiskun county, in the Southern Great Plain region of southern Hungary. It is named after Csanád, the first head of the former Csanád County of Hungary in the first decades of the 11th century.-Geography:It covers an area of and has a population of 2967 people ....
- GaraGara, Hungary-History:The village is first mentioned in a 1290 document. The name is derived from the Garai family name. The most commonly accepted theory claims that the word Gara originates from a Slavic word meaning hill. According to Turkish tax listings, the village had 25 houses...
- VaskútVaskútVaskút is a large village in Bács-Kiskun county, in the Southern Great Plain region of southern Hungary.-Geography:It covers an area of 71.49 km²...
- CsávolyCsávolyCsávoly is a village in Bács-Kiskun county, Hungary. It is about far away from Baja.-History:Csávoly's history can be traced back to 1198. The village - under the name of Chayol-Thayal - had many proprietors since 1374. According to Turkish tax listings, Csávoly had 22 houses in 1580...
- SzeremleSzeremleSzeremle is a village in Bács-Kiskun county, in the Southern Great Plain region of southern Hungary.-Geography:It covers an area of and has a population of 1578 people .-Demographics: Magyars Croats...
- BátmonostorBátmonostorBátmonostor is a village in Bács-Kiskun county, in the Southern Great Plain region of southern Hungary.-Geography:It covers an area of and has a population of 1657 people .-Demography:...
- HercegszántóHercegszántóHercegszántó is a village in the Bács-Kiskun county of Hungary, famous for being the birthplace of footballer Flórián Albert....