Érd

Infobox Settlement

---

image_caption = Ottoman minaret in Érd
image_shield = WĘG Érd COA.jpg
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = HUN
timezone=CET
utc_offset=+1
timezone_DST=CEST
utc_offset_DST=+2
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position =
pushpin_map_caption =Location of Érd
pushpin_mapsize =

official_name=Érd


subdivision_type1=County
subdivision_name1=Pest
area_total_km2=60.54
population_total=62408|population_footnotes=
population_as_of=2007|population_density_km2=1000.0
postal_code_type=Postal code
postal_code=2030
area_code=23
latd=47.37837
longd=18.92200

Érd (German: "Hanselbeck", Croatian: "Andzabeg", _tr. Hamzabey) is an urban county in Pest county, Budapest metropolitan area, Hungary.

History

The area has been inhabited since ancient times. Archaeological findings indicate that prehistoric men lived here 50,000 years ago.

Érd itself was first mentioned in documents in 1243. The name comes either from the word "erdő" ("forest") or from "ér" ("stream").

During the Ottoman occupation of Hungary Érd was captured by the Turks in 1543, after the castle of Székesfehérvár fell. The Turks built a motte castle and a "djami" (mosque) here. In these times the place was called "Hamzsabég" (Hamzabey). In 1684 the army led by Charles V, Duke of Lorraine defeated the Turks near Érd.

In 1776 Érd became an "oppidum" (town). It is possible that it already had been oppidum before the Ottoman occupation. In the early 20th century Érd became the property of the Károlyi family. The town grew, but remained mainly an agricultural town until 1972, when several new facilities were built and the touristic value of Érd grew.

Érd was the fastest-growing locality in Hungary between the 1991 and 2001 censuses (up 30.6%). On November 7, 2005 the Parliament decided that Érd will be granted the rank of city with county rights from the date of the next council election in autumn 2006.

Érd is twinned with Poynton, Cheshire, England.

Demographics

Contemporary Érd is known for being one of the most affluent communities in Hungary, with some of the country's wealthiest citizens residing there.

Tourist sights

* Saint Michael Church
* Turkish minaret (17th century; one of only three existing minarets of the country)
* Geographical museum, founded by geographer Dénes Balázs
* Remains of ancient Roman road
* Fundoklia Valley with rare plant species

Twin towns

Érd is twinned with:

External links

* [http://www.erd.hu Official site] (Hungarian only)
* [http://www.civertan.hu/legifoto/legifoto.php?page_level=157&pageNum_
]