Information
City: PecsCountry: Hungary
Continent: Europe
Pecs, Hungary, Europe
Overview
In southern Hungary, near the borders of Croatia and Serbia, lies Pécs-one of the country’s oldest cities, where cobblestone streets wind past centuries-old churches and sunlit squares.Pécs has stood for more than two millennia, its streets lined with Roman ruins, colorful facades, and a lively arts scene that hums late into the night.It’s Hungary’s fifth-largest city, known for its rich blend of history-from Roman stone walls to Ottoman domes and quiet Christian chapels.Let’s take a closer look at Pécs.Its history stretches back centuries, from Roman ruins to Ottoman mosques.Back in the 2nd century AD, the Romans founded a town called Sopianae, its stone streets baking under the summer sun, and it soon grew into one of Pannonia’s major centers.You can still see plenty of traces from the Roman era-colorful mosaics, weathered tombs, and the Early Christian Necropolis of Pécs, a UNESCO World Heritage site.When the Romans were gone, the city rose to prominence under the Ottoman Empire, bustling with life between the 16th and 17th centuries.The Ottomans shaped the city’s skyline for centuries, leaving graceful mosques with slender minarets and steamy Turkish baths tucked along its narrow streets.In the 18th century, Pécs joined the Habsburg Empire and began to grow quickly, with new stone streets and sturdy houses reshaping the town.During the 20th century, Pécs thrived, its factories buzzing and its theaters drawing lively crowds.In 2010, the city earned the title of European Capital of Culture, a nod to its standing as one of Hungary’s key hubs for art, learning, and vibrant cultural life.Pécs sits in Baranya County in southern Hungary, tucked against the base of the Mecsek Mountains, their wooded slopes rising like a quiet backdrop to the city.The city enjoys a gentle climate-summers are warm enough for ripe figs on the market stalls, and winters stay mild-making it a perfect spot for farming and welcoming visitors.In the Pécs region, dense forests, sunlit vineyards, and gentle hills stretch for miles, inviting you to hike winding trails and spend the day outdoors.Several small hills cut through the city, lifting its streets and rooftops into a skyline you can trace like folds in a painted map.Pécs is often called one of Hungary’s cultural capitals, alive with the sound of music, the color of bold murals, and the warmth of crowded theaters.The city buzzes with museums, lively galleries, and festivals where you might hear a folk violin one moment and see bold modern art the next-honoring Hungary’s rich past while embracing its creative present.Key Cultural Institutions: The Pécs National Theatre, with its grand façade and velvet-draped stage, hosts everything from plays to operas and lively musicals.Just a short walk away, the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter buzzes with color and craftsmanship, celebrating the legacy of Hungarian ceramic artist Vilmos Zsolnay as one of the city’s most treasured artistic hubs.The quarter brims with museums, exhibition halls, and galleries, a treat for anyone drawn to Hungarian art and craftsmanship.Step inside the Pécs Opera House, a graceful Neoclassical gem where the air hums with opera, concerts, and lively cultural events.At the Pécs Art Gallery, contemporary works-Hungarian and international-fill bright rooms with bold colors and modern lines.Festivals keep the city buzzing year-round: the Pécs International Film Festival brings global cinema to local screens; the Pécs Spring Festival fills streets and stages with music, theater, and dance; and the Zsolnay Light Festival turns the cultural quarter into a glowing dreamscape of art and light.All of this unfolds in Pécs, a city celebrated for its striking mix of architectural styles.You can read the city’s history in its buildings, from the heavy stone arches of Romanesque churches to the ornate curves of Baroque facades, with Gothic spires and Ottoman domes in between.Pécs Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, has stood since the 11th century, its Romanesque towers rising over the city as one of its most treasured landmarks.Pécs showcases a striking mix of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque architecture, with landmarks like the Early Christian Necropolis-its cool, dim chambers lined with mosaics and ancient tombs-offering a vivid glimpse into the city’s Roman roots; the Gazi Kásim Pasha Mosque, built in the Ottoman era and now a Catholic church, still rises beneath its graceful dome and lone minaret, while the Mosque of Pasha Qasim stands as another proud relic of Turkish influence; nearby, the Romanesque church of St. Bartholomew and scattered Roman ruins recall the city’s deep past, and today Pécs remains a leading center of learning in Hungary, home to the University of Pécs, founded in 1367.The university offers a broad mix of programs, and its medical, art, and social science faculties-where lab coats mingle with paintbrushes-are especially well known.The city’s home to respected schools for music, art, and theater, each adding its own note to a lively mix of ideas and creativity you can feel in the streets.CuisinePécs serves up a tempting mix of Hungarian and regional fare, with a special spotlight on Baranya County–style dishes made from fresh, locally picked ingredients.Pécs is known for hearty favorites like Pécsi rakott krumpli, a comforting layered potato bake with sausage, eggs, and tangy sour cream; fűszeres pörkölt, a slow-simmered beef, pork, or lamb stew rich with paprika and garlic; and Baranya-style fish soup, a deep red broth made from local river fish and fresh herbs.For dessert, there’s the Zsolnay cake-soft layers of chocolate and cream named after the city’s famed ceramic artist.The surrounding Pécs Wine Region produces crisp whites, especially Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, that pair perfectly with the local fare.EconomyPécs thrives on variety, blending busy factories, bustling service hubs, and fields dotted with crops.For generations, the city’s been famous for its ceramics-most notably the Zsolnay porcelain factory, where gleaming white and gold pieces showcase Hungarian craftsmanship to the world.The Zsolnay Porcelain company is still going strong, and its delicate, hand-painted pieces are admired around the globe.Pécs is a key hub for education, tourism, and the arts, drawing visitors who wander its Roman ruins, enjoy lively festivals, and take in the hills that frame the city.Tourism plays a big role in Pécs, where cobblestone streets, centuries-old churches, and a rich cultural heritage draw visitors from near and far.Along with its rich cultural landmarks, Pécs sits in a scenic region where you can hike wooded hills, sip local wines, and unwind in warm thermal baths.
Landmarks in Pecs
