GYOR

German Raab, historic town and capital of Gyor-Moson-Sopron megye (county), northwestern Hungary. It is on the Moson arm of the Danube, the meandering southern arm in Hungary proper, where the south bank tributaries, Rba and Rbca (alternatively, Rpce), converge. The Marcal River joins the Rba just south of Gyor. The 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; Gyor 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. The Pspkvr (fortified bishop's palace), built in the 13th century and remodeled in the 16th century, stands atop the Kptalan Hill, adjacent to an impressive cathedral (12th through 17th century). Several other churches are of historical and architectural significance. The museum contains an interesting collection of Roman artifacts. In the 17th century, Gyor became a fortified stronghold against the Turks, and it was chartered as a free royal town in 1743. Modern industrial development in Gyor includes the manufacture of railway rolling stock, diesel engines, and frames for trucks and buses. Tobacco, furniture, food processing, and textiles are also important. The town 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. (1991 est.) 129,598.