About Our Zoo

The Living History of Nagyerdő

The Nagyerdei Kultúrpark in Debrecen opened its gates in May 1958 as Hungary's first rural zoo. The small area at the time of its foundation has organically integrated into the life of the city and the forest over the decades, and has now become one of the most important cultural and leisure institutions in the region. Our mission is species conservation and education: as a full member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) and an outsourced department of the University of Debrecen, we are active participants in international scientific work.

Botanical Treasury

Our institution has been officially registered as a botanical garden since 1992, and a nature reserve since 1994. The park is home to a total of 650 native and exotic plant species, from the old oaks of Nagyerdő to tropical rarities. Our special pride is our internationally recognized bamboo collection, numbering some 82 species, as well as the geophyte flower carpet of the spring garden, where snowdrops and special tulips bloom. Through