Békéscsaba [key], city (1991 est. pop. 67,691), SE Hungary. In an agricultural region, Békéscsaba has various processing plants and other light industries. The city is also a road and rail hub. It was founded in the 13th cent. but later destroyed by the Turks. In the 18th cent. Slovak settlers helped restore Békéscsaba, and the city still has a large Slovak population (more than 50%). Landmarks include a 13th-century Roman Catholic church, a Lutheran cathedral (testifying to the city's tradition of Lutheranism), and a museum.
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