PÉCS

LOCATION Pécs is the fifth largest city of Hungary. It is located on the slopes of the Mecsek Hills in the south-west of the country, close to its border with Croatia. It is the administrative and economical centre of the County of Baranya. Budapest Pécs

HISTORY Pécs is more than a 2000-year-old settlement. The city Sopianae was founded by the Romans at the beginning of the 2nd century, on an area which was inhabited by Celtic and Pannonian tribes. By the 4th century it became a flourishing provincial town and a significant centre of early Christianity.

HISTORY In 1009, a bishopric was founded here by Stephen I. The Basilica was built in the middle of the 12th century. King Louis the Great founded the first Hungarian university here in 1367. The golden age of the medieval Pécs was in the 15th century, but the dynamic development was stopped by the Turkish occupation. The architectural remains of the almost 150-year rule can still be seen today.

HISTORY In the 18th century, Pécs became an important industrial town. Famous factories were established and numerous civil houses and public buildings were built that time. Today Pécs is one of the country’s largest cities with its more than 150 thousand inhabitants.

CITY FOR PEACE Pécs always was a multicultural city. Hungarians, Croatians and Swabians still live in peace together in economic and cultural polarity. In 1998, Pécs was given the UNESCO prize Cities for peace for maintaining the cultures of the minorities, and also for its tolerant and helping attitude towards refugees of the Balkan Wars.

EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE In 2010 Pécs was selected to be the European Capital of Culture sharing the title together with Essen and Istanbul. The city's motto was "The Borderless City". After the reception of the title major renewal started in the city. 

“ THE HUNGARIAN MEDITERRANEAN” The city is called “ The Hungarian Mediterranean”. The mild climate, the winding streets on the slopes of the Mecsek Hills, the fig bushes in the city centre, the vivid life of the main square and the walking area in the summer evenings give the city a special Mediterranean atmosphere.

CITY OF GRAPE AND WINE Pécs is called the “The City of Grape and Wine”. Wine producers and experts are busy trying to plant vineyards along the side of the Mecsek Mountains again. More and more award winning wines come from the Pécs wine region.

CITY OF UNIVERSITY With its more than 29,000 students and nearly 2,000 teachers the University of Pécs is one of the largest higher educational institutions in Hungary with high- quality research and education. The faculties of the University of Pécs: Faculty of Adult Education and Human Resources Development, Faculty of Business and Economics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Illyés Gyula Faculty of Education, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Music and Visual Arts, Faculty of Sciences, Medical School, Pollack Mihály Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology

WORTH VISITING Pécs has always been a must-see destination because of its World Heritage sites, its monuments from the Turkish era, its typical civic and community buildings of the 19th-century, its famous Zsolnay heritage and its rich art collections.

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES The inhabitants of Sopianae raised a significant number of sepulchral buildings in the 4th century. The Cella Septichora Visitor Centre became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 2000.

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES Burial chambers Early Christian Mausoleum

ARCHITECTURAL REMAINS OF THE TURKISH OCCUPATION The mosque of Gazi Quasim pasha The mosque of Yakovali Hassan pasha

The oldest town building MEDIEVAL SIGHTS Cathedral The oldest town building

MEDIEVAL SIGHTS The medieval city wall Barbican Tower

The ruins of the Renaissance summer palace in Tettye MEDIEVAL SIGHTS Bishop’s Palace The ruins of the Renaissance summer palace in Tettye

MODERN TIMES Széchenyi Square Király Street

MODERN TIMES National Theatre Synagogue

MODERN TIMES “Elephant House” Zsolnay fountain

EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE In 2010 Pécs was selected to be the European Capital of Culture. There were a series of cultural events, festivals, exhibitions and concerts during 2010. The city's public spaces and parks were revived and complemented by new institutions.

RENEWAL OF PUBLIC SPACES Vasarely Square Kossuth Square

The key investment projects of the Pécs2010 European Capital of Culture Programme The South Transdanubian Library and Knowledge Centre Kodály Conference and Concert Centre

Zsolnay Cultural Quarter The Quarter consists of several buildings. The Sikorski House gives home now for the Gyugyi Collection. The old home of the Zsolnay family gives home to Bóbita Puppet Theatre. A new exhibition space gives home to Pécs Gallery.

University Quarter The Faculty of Music and Visual Arts, from the Faculty of Humanities the Department of Media and Communication Theory and the practical training of the Department of Film Aesthetics will have its new home in the Zsolnay Quarter. The Janus University Theatre (JESZ) will also take place here with a rehearsal room and and an air- conditioned stage.

MUSEUMS AND COLLECTIONS Káptalan Street, or “Museum Street” and the nearby area host the most valuable museums and collections of the works of arts of Hungarian artists.

MUSEUMS AND COLLECTIONS Csontváry Museum Vasarely Museum 

MUSEUMS AND COLLECTIONS Zsolnay Museum  Modern Hungarian Gallery

LEISURE & ENTERTAINMENT Misina Hill & Tv Tower Havi Hill Chapel

LEISURE & ENTERTAINMENT Green park in Tettye Tettye Limetuff Cave

LEISURE & ENTERTAINMENT Mecsextrem Adventure Park Zoo

LEISURE & ENTERTAINMENT Parks & statues Fountains and wells

LEISURE & ENTERTAINMENT Sightseeing train Love Padlocks

LEISURE & ENTERTAINMENT Shopping centres & cinemas Festivals & concerts

LEISURE & ENTERTAINMENT Restaurants, cafés, wine cellars Pubs, bars and clubs

HAVE A GOOD TIME IN THE CITY OF PÉCS.