Pécs

Pécs is one of Hungary’s most charming, diverse, and culturally rich cities. Locals can rightfully take pride in their UNESCO World Heritage sites dating back to Roman times, buildings preserved from the Ottoman era, Hungary’s first university, the renowned Zsolnay Porcelain Manufactory, the ornate ceramic decorations adorning their homes, and the hundreds of contemporary artists living in the city. They are deeply fond of the Mecsek Hills—their “local mountain”—which they credit for their sub-Mediterranean climate and distinctive wines. In 2010, alongside Essen and Istanbul, Pécs held the prestigious title of European Capital of Culture.

However, the benefits of this title were not limited to a single year. Thanks to the 2,000 cultural events organized and the numerous completed developments, the city underwent a cultural transformation. One of the most notable outcomes was the creation of the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter, established within the once-significant Zsolnay factory complex, which had largely become vacant by the 21st century. Together with the Kodály Centre—also inaugurated in 2010—and the organization managing the city’s World Heritage sites, it formed a new institutional framework that continues to shape Pécs's cultural landscape.

Shielded by the Mecsek Hills, the Roman settlement of Sopianae developed into a city around two thousand years ago and became one of the administrative centers of Pannonia by the end of the 3rd century. Perhaps it is no coincidence that the Romans, arriving from the Mediterranean, felt so at home in this region. On a hot summer day, gazing across Széchenyi Square and the sunlit stones of the mosque, strolling through the Mediterranean-style Jókai Square in the late afternoon or early evening, or wandering along the promenade between the open-air cafés and restaurants on Király Street and resting on the stone edges of the fountains in Theatre Square—all evoke the atmosphere of Italy. Approaching the city from Harkány by car, one might even feel as if journeying through the rolling hills of Tuscany.

Main Attractions:

• Museums (Zsolnay, Amerigo Tot Exhibition, Victor Vasarely, Csontváry, Mining Museum)
• Former Bath of Pasha Memi
• Jakovali Hassan Mosque and Minaret
• Széchenyi Square, Kossuth Square, Jókai Square
• Basilica, Cella Septichora
• Pécs Zoo
• Pécs Aquarium–Terrarium
• Pécs National Theatre
• Tettye Ruins, TV Tower and Lookout Point
• Zsolnay Cultural Quarter