Pécs Hungary. Economical holiday in the Hungarian city of Pecs. A few words of history

Geography and transport

The city is located 200 kilometers southwest of Budapest, 30 kilometers from the border with Croatia. Pécs is connected to Budapest by road (E73) and railway. Travel time by train from Budapest is 3 hours. Trains also run to major Hungarian cities, Vienna, Osijek and Sarajevo.

Urban transport is represented by a network bus routes. From 1913 to 1960, the city operated tram routes, but in 1960 the tram was abolished.

Pecs-Pogany Airport is located near the city. The airport opened in 2006 and became the fifth international airport Hungary.
Story

The city arose about 2 thousand years ago, although archaeological excavations prove the existence of a Celtic settlement on the site of Pecs from the 4th millennium BC. As part of the Roman province of Pannonia, the city was called Sopine (Sopiana). Beginning in the 4th century, a strong Christian community emerged in the city. Christian cemeteries from this period have survived to this day and are included in the list cultural heritage UNESCO.

After the collapse of the empire, the area was under the rule of barbarians, Huns and Avars. After the liquidation of the Avar Kaganate, it was under the rule of the Slavs, then annexed to the Holy Roman Empire. In 871, the city was first mentioned in the documents of the Salzburg diocese under the name Quinque Ecclesia or Five Churches, German - Fünfkirchen. The modern Hungarian name is a borrowing from Slavic, from the Great Moravian pĕt - Five (churches).
Since 1000 - one of the regional centers of Hungary, main city Comitat of Baranya and episcopal residence. In the 11th century, a cathedral was built in the city, in the 12th century. The sculpture school is flourishing in the city. The relief with scenes from the life of Samson that decorated the cathedral in Pech is distinguished by the vividness of its observations, soft generality and richness of forms. In 1367, the first University in Hungary was opened in Pecs, which existed, however, for less than a hundred years.

After the defeat of the Hungarians at the Battle of Mohács in 1526, Turkish troops occupied and plundered the city, and in 1543 it came under complete control Ottoman Empire. As in other Hungarian cities, Christian churches were turned into mosques, and many buildings of Turkish architecture were built.

Pecs was liberated from the Turks in October 1686 and became part of the Habsburg Empire. During the years of Turkish rule, the Hungarian population of the city declined greatly, so the authorities encouraged the influx of German and South Slavic colonists into the city. At the beginning of the 18th century, Slavs made up almost half of the city's population, while Hungarians made up only a quarter; another quarter were Germans.
In 1704, the city was plundered by troops of participants in the anti-Habsburg uprising led by Ferenc Rakoczi. After this, the city enjoyed a long period of peace and prosperity. Until 1777 it was ruled by local bishops, then it was given the status of a free royal city.

During the Hungarian revolution of 1848-1849 a short time the city was occupied by the Croatian army. In 1867, a Railway, since 1882 it has connected Pecs with Budapest.

At the end of the First World War, Pec was occupied by Serbian troops. As a result of the war, Hungary lost part of its southern and southeastern lands to Romania and Serbia, and until August 1921 it was not clear whether Pécs would remain part of Hungary. Since the University of Pecs was abolished in the 15th century, in 1921, after it became clear that Pecs remained in Hungary, the University was transferred there from Pozsony (Bratislava), which became part of Czechoslovakia.

During the Second World War, Pécs suffered less damage than many other Hungarian cities, but some historical buildings were damaged by bombing.

During the socialist period, the city rapidly industrialized, the population grew rapidly, reaching its peak - 180 thousand people in the 80s of the 20th century. After the collapse of socialism, Pécs, like other Hungarian cities, experienced a severe economic crisis. In addition, the war in neighboring Yugoslavia reduced the number of tourists to a minimum.

The crisis was overcome at the beginning of the 21st century. The city's infrastructure began to grow rapidly - it was built new airport, ring motorway in the city, new highway between Pécs and Budapest.

Economy

Pech - important transport node, industrial and Cultural Center South Transdanubia region. In the vicinity of Pecs, coal, uranium ores and thermal power plants are mined. The city has mechanical engineering (including electrical engineering), a diverse food industry (brewing, canning factory, champagne production, etc.); wood processing industry, leather, shoe and tobacco factories, coke plant. Particularly famous are the ceramics from Pecs (porcelain and earthenware products from the former Zsolnay factory).

The city is home to the Pecs football club, which twice won the national championship and won the national cup in 1990. At the end of the 2006/2007 championship, Pécs took penultimate place in the Hungarian league and was relegated to the second strongest division. There is also a handball team in the city.

Education and culture

The first University in Hungary was founded in Pécs in 1367 and existed until the mid-15th century; reopened in 1922. One of its most important parts is the Medical Institute.

Since 1960, the National Theater of Pécs has had a troupe under the direction of I. Eck, which stages ballets by contemporary composers. A festival of national films is held.

For 2010, the city was elected European Capital of Culture, along with Istanbul and the Ruhr-Rhine region.

City museums:
them. Janus Pannonius (founded in 1898; archaeological sites, folk art, Hungarian art of the 20th century).
Tivadara Chontvari-Kostki.
Zsolnay Porcelain Museum.
Art gallery of Hungarian art.
Museum of the artist Ferenc Martin.
Vasarely Museum.
Marzipan Museum.

Attractions
Ancient Christian catacombs (IV century).
Romanesque Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul (11th century; rebuilt in 1882-91, architect F. Schmidt. Reliefs from the 11th century and the “lower church” (11th century) have been preserved. The originality of the architecture is emphasized by the four towers at the corners of the cathedral.
Belvaros Parish Church ( former mosque Ghazi Qasim, 16th century). Located in the central square of the city - Szechenyi Square.
Bishop's Palace. Built in 1770. The architecture contains both Renaissance and Baroque features. On one of the balconies there is an unusual monument to F. Liszt - the composer seems to be looking out from the balcony.
Town Hall (1907).
Synagogue (1869).
Hassan Yakov Ali Mosque (XVI century). One of the best preserved Hungarian mosques. The height of the minaret is 23 meters.
National Theater building. Built in 1895 in Rococo style.
Monastery of the Pauline Order.
Barbican. A round bastion remaining from the city fortifications.

Large modern construction is underway in Pecs: the development of the western part of Pecs (1950s, architect E. Denes and others), the Olympia restaurant (1960, architect L. Gadorosh), a school (early 60s, architect M. Nanashi). Equestrian monument to Janos Hunyadi (bronze, 1956, P. Patsai).

















Barbican

Pécs) is located 200 km from Budapest, near the border with Croatia. The city's population is approximately 157 thousand people and it is the fifth largest city in Hungary. One of the main attractions of Pécs is an early Christian burial place, listed in December 2000 world heritage UNESCO.

In 2010 the city was elected cultural capital th Europe.

Pecs is famous for its ceramic factory of the Zsolnay family and ceramics are the main decoration of the entire city.

History of the city of Pécs

The city of Pecs is one of the most ancient cities, dating back to the Roman era, when it was called Sopianae. A strategically important road ran through the city, connecting Pannonia with the German and Gallic provinces, which contributed to its development and prosperity.

In 1009, by order of King Stephen the Saint, the cathedral was built, which over the next 500 years remained one of the most famous Hungarian cathedrals. In 1367, the country's first university was opened in the city and was one of the five universities that existed in Europe at that time.

From 1526 to 1686 the city was ruled by the Turks, and like many other cities in Hungary, churches were converted into mosques and many buildings were built in the style of Turkish architecture. Then Pecs became part of the Habsburg Empire.

During the anti-Habsburg uprising, the city suffered and was plundered. In 1777, by order of Maria Theresa, the city of Pécs was given the status of a free royal city.

In subsequent times, the city suffered more than once from revolutions and wars, but always successfully recovered and prospered, which is confirmed by the title it deservedly received in 2010 as the cultural capital of Europe.

Sights of the city of Pécs

The city center is not very large and all the attractions are located next to each other and are located in the main squares of the city.


Originally located here catholic church, but in the 16th century, during the rule of the Turks, the church was rebuilt as a mosque for Pasha Gazi Kasim. Subsequently, after the expulsion of the Turks, the mosque was again rebuilt into a Catholic church.

Szechenyi Square - St. Column Trinity and Belvaros Parish Church

Another notable building on the square is the magnificent white building of the regional administration. Opposite it you can see a monument to János Hunyadi (Hunyadi János), an outstanding military leader of the 15th century.

Regional administration building

  • Kossuth Square (Kossuth tér) where it is located city ​​hall building, erected in 1907, as well as synagogue building(1869), the main decoration of which is a clock with an inscription in Hebrew.


To the side of the cathedral is the Bishop's Palace, built in 1770; on one of the balconies of the palace there is a monument to the composer Franz Liszt.

  • Barbican- a small round bastion, a remnant of the city's defensive fortifications built in the 15th century.

Barbican

  • National Theater of Pécs, restored in 2011, it amazes with its splendor. The theater opened its doors to its first visitors more than 100 years ago – on October 5, 1895.

  • , the main decoration of which is the family coat of arms of the family of the founders of the porcelain factory in Pecs-Zsolnay.

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    Cathedral of Peter and Paul in Pec

    Pecs, Szent Istvan ter, 23

    Pecs is an episcopal city and very ancient. And one of its main attractions and business card- This is the magnificent Romanesque Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. Severity, grace, solemnity - these are epithets that can only partially describe this architectural masterpiece.

One of the most beautiful and original cities in Hungary, which is located right at the foot of the beautiful Mecsek Mountains and appeared before the birth of Christ, is Pecs. It is difficult to imagine since when human speech has been heard here and how many different dialects have been heard here. Speaking of adverbs, the word Pécs means “five” in Hungarian and most likely has Slavic roots. Meanwhile, this glorious city began to be called so from the ancient name of the place, in different languages ​​the name of which sounds like “five churches.” Pécs amazingly experienced all the historical vicissitudes in which the region that today we know as Hungary fell into. There is a long period of Roman rule here, and before the Romans there were Celtic tribes that were widely visible in central Europe.

After the fall of Rome, numerous languages ​​and peoples came to these lands: Huns, Avars, Slavs and, of course, the mysterious Magyars, the ancestors of today’s Hungarians. In the 16th century, the city suffered a terrible attack, namely the hordes of Ottoman conquerors, who, over the years of yoke, destroyed a significant part of the Hungarian population, and also destroyed many Christian shrines. After liberation from the Turks, due to the sparse population of the city, the government attracted Balkan Slavs and Germans here, so that in the 17th and 18th centuries, half of the population were Slavs.

The fifth largest city in Hungary these days is a thriving and cozy, hospitable city, full of attractions for absolutely every taste.

Of course, such a dashing interethnic cocktail had a significant impact not only on the appearance of the city, which immediately catches the eye and seems very original, but also on the way of life. The bloody 20th century did not bring peace to the city, nor to all of Europe. The city suffered greatly during both world wars. However, time has passed, and today the fifth largest city in Hungary is a thriving and cozy, hospitable city, full of attractions for absolutely every taste.

Pecs

(Hungarian Pécs; German Fünfkirchen) - a charming place, the most Big city in the Baranya region. Located in the southwest of the country at the southern foot of the Mecek Mountains, 32 km from the Croatian border. It is the 5th largest city in the country. It has an impressive number of cultural and historical attractions, annually attracting the attention of hundreds of thousands of foreign visitors. Along with the German Essen and the Turkish Istanbul, Pécs was chosen as the European Capital of Culture in 2010.

Brief history of the city of Pécs

Pécs is one of the most ancient cities in the country. There is almost no cold in this region; cloudy days are rare. So favorable natural conditions and once attracted the Romans, who founded a settlement here with the melodic name Sopiana (Latin Sapianae (Sopianae)). The fact that the local climate is close to the Mediterranean is evidenced by many things: and open kitchens in the courtyards, and the carved crowns of fig trees, and the satin petals of wild peonies, and the long, long summer. Under the Romans in the 2nd century there was a populous settlement here.
A strategically important road ran through Sopian, connecting Pannonia with the German and Gallic provinces, which contributed to its development and prosperity.
The settlement was the capital of Valeria (lat. Valeria) - a province of the Late Roman Empire, formed by Emperor Galerius from the northeastern part of the territory of Lower Pannonia (Pannonia Inferior).
The province got its name in honor of Galerius's wife, Galeria Valeria, daughter of Emperor Diocletian.
St. Stephen's Square is the historical center of the city. Once upon a time this place was the center of Roman Sopiana. Next to the thousand-year-old cathedral, girded with a gallery with arched vaults, the oldest monument of the city has been preserved - the old cemetery where the executed founders of the local Christian community were buried - a witness to the times when the authorities brutally persecuted followers of the new faith.
Later, in the 4th century, when Christianity triumphed, an episcopate was founded here and the first basilica church was built. It did not reach the developed Middle Ages, having not survived the turbulent times of the great migration of peoples: wars and raids of known and unknown tribes swept through the Transdanubian region like fiery whirlwinds, the Huns, Goths, and Avars replaced each other. Only the underground crypts and the chapel, built a little later than the first church, survived these shocks.

These monuments were eventually inherited by the nomadic Hungarians who came here in the 9th century. In 1009, King Stephen, who converted Hungary to Christianity, restored the episcopate of Cec, whose possessions extended to a number of regions. At the same time, in the 9th century, the first part of the cathedral was built - an impeccable example of the Romanesque style. Then the cathedral was rebuilt several times and each time acquired new, unique features: it was not for nothing that the Pech school of stone carvers was and remains unsurpassed in the country. The second part of the building was completed after the Mongol-Tatar invasion was repelled. The cathedral was completely completed only in the 16th century. Converted into a mosque during Turkish rule, it was reincarnated thanks to unusual decoration, and again regained its former appearance only in the 18th century.

In 1367, under King Louis the Great, the first university in Hungary was founded in the city of Pécs. Even in the Middle Ages, culture flourished here, especially when Janos Pannonius was the bishop. The university existed until the middle of the 15th century; reopened in 1922. One of its most important parts is the Medical Institute. At one time, local bishops founded an Academy of Arts, a music school, etc. here.

After the defeat of the Hungarians at the Battle of Mohács in 1526, Turkish troops occupied and sacked the city, and in 1543 it completely came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. As in other Hungarian cities, Christian churches were turned into mosques, and many buildings of Turkish architecture were built.
Pécs was liberated from the Turks in October 1686 and became part of the Habsburg Empire. During the years of Turkish rule, the Hungarian population of the city declined greatly, so the authorities encouraged the influx of German and South Slavic colonists into the city. At the beginning of the 18th century, Slavs made up almost half of the city's population, while Hungarians made up only a quarter; another quarter were Germans.
In 1704, the city was plundered by troops of participants in the anti-Habsburg uprising led by Ferenc Rakoczi.

After this, the city enjoyed a long period of peace and prosperity. Until 1777 it was ruled by local bishops, then it was given the status of a free royal city.
During the Hungarian Revolution of 1848-1849, the city was briefly occupied by the Croatian army. In 1867, a railway was built in the city; since 1882 it has connected Pécs with Budapest. At the end of the First World War, Pec was occupied by Serbian troops. As a result of the war, Hungary lost part of its southern and southeastern lands to Romania and Serbia, and until August 1921 it was not clear whether Pécs would remain part of Hungary. Since the University of Pecs was abolished in the 15th century, in 1921, after it became clear that Pecs remained in Hungary, the University from Pozsony (Bratislava), which became part of Czechoslovakia, was transferred there.
During the Second World War, Pécs suffered less damage than many other Hungarian cities, but some historical buildings were damaged by bombing.
During the socialist period, the city rapidly industrialized, the population grew rapidly, reaching its peak - 180 thousand people in the 80s of the 20th century. After the collapse of socialism, Pécs, like other Hungarian cities, experienced a severe economic crisis. In addition, the war in neighboring Yugoslavia reduced the number of tourists to a minimum. The crisis was overcome at the beginning of the 21st century. The city's infrastructure began to grow rapidly - a new airport, a ring highway in the city, and a new highway between Pécs and Budapest were built.
The amazing proximity of monuments from different eras and cultures makes Pécs one of the most interesting cities Hungary.
In most cities in the world, the center gravitates towards one architectural core; all the oldest streets lead to one ensemble. And in the city of Pecs there are two of them.

Not far from St. Stephen's Square, as if in contrast to it, back in the Middle Ages, a site of civil development stood out - the secular center of the city of Pécs. Now this square bears the name of Széchenyi. The blocks and streets between the two ancient squares have become the threads of a priceless necklace, where every house and temple is a pearl. In the center of the Old Town, on Szechenyi Square (Széchenyi tér), stands an unusual voluminous building under a green dome. Externally, this building is very reminiscent of a mosque, but at the top above the crescent crowning its dome there is a Catholic cross. The history of the mosque-church is as follows. Initially, in its place there was a Catholic church in the Romanesque style.
The Turks, who captured the city, began to use the cathedral as a warehouse and stable, they turned one of the towers into a minaret - eventually former cathedral. The palace itself is now a museum, the main exhibition of which is dedicated to the bishops who lived here and their deeds, and part of it is a collection of smoking pipes and books on the history of tobacco smoking, which was donated to the museum by a collector. After the expulsion of the Turks, the mosque was again turned into a Catholic church, which was taken over by the Jesuit order. The cross was placed directly above the crescent as a symbol of the victory of Christianity. Over the following centuries, the church underwent some changes, however, even under these later layers one can discern Islamic elements, such as, for example, the characteristic pointed arches over the windows, niches, bright geometric patterns, the remains of a mihrab, a prayer niche located on the side of the mosque facing Mecca . Today the temple is the parish church of Belvaros.

Not far from Szechenyi Square is Kossuth Square. Here it is worth paying attention to the lavishly decorated building of the city hall and the synagogue, restored at the end of the last century. Both the external and internal decoration of the synagogue leaves a strong impression. The facade of the building, divided into three parts, is decorated with a clock with an inscription in Hebrew. The interior of the synagogue is richly decorated with oak and decorated with floral ornaments. One of the main rarities of the temple is a magnificent organ produced by the famous Pech company Angaster. The Book of Remembrance, kept in the synagogue, lists the names of Jewish residents of the city of Pecs who died at the hands of the Nazis. In total, in the central part of the city of Pécs there are four squares: Széchenyi, Kossuth, Dom Square (Dom tér) and St. Stephen's Square. Dome Square, as it should be, is the main one; here is the most beautiful temple of the city - the Basilica of St. Peter and Paul with four high towers in the corners. His lower temple is the first Christian Church
in a country built during the time of King Stephen I. By the 12th century, a new church in the Romanesque style was erected above it. Over the following centuries, the church was rebuilt and reconstructed several times. Gradually, several chapels were added to the main nave - the Corpus Christi, the Chapel of the Virgin Mary and the Chapel of the Heart of Christ.
In the city there is a strange custom of hanging the most ordinary locks on the bars on one of the streets. One explanation for this is this. Residents of the city of Pecs with this action symbolically express their eternal attachment to their homeland. Lovers and newlyweds come here, hang a lock on the grill, and throw away the key. After this ritual, they are supposed to love each other forever. Judging by the inscriptions on the locks, maybe someone hung one or two locks in honor of affection for hometown
, but mostly these were couples who wanted to be together forever. in the city of Pecs there is one of the most famous enterprises in Hungary - the Zsolnay Porcelain Manufactory. It was founded in 1853. They produced facing tiles, roof tiles, ceramic figures, and porcelain. Now there is a museum telling about the history of the manufactory. The Zsolnai Fountain is located in front Cathedral
and pleases city residents with its coolness on hot summer days. Also worthy of attention is the building of the City Hall, National Theater
Built in 1895, the majestic Barbican bastion symbolizes the remains of ancient fortress walls, ancient Christian catacombs and the monastery of the Pauline Order.
Pécs gives special pleasure to lovers of high art. The city has a sufficient number of museums and galleries to satisfy the tastes of any admirer of beauty. Among the most popular are the Ferenc Martin Museum, the Art Gallery of Hungarian Art, and the Vasarely and Marzipan Museums. In the town of Pécs there is the Tivadar Kostka Csontváry Museum. The paintings of this artist can depress the visitor. Free photo exhibitions are regularly held at Section Square. However, the city is so good in itself that even a simple walk along its picturesque streets gives a lot of positive emotions and vivid impressions. There are many original cartoonish statues and monuments in the spirit of surrealism, park alleys and green lawns with neatly trimmed grass, ideal for picnics. Being in the cultural capital of Hungary (as they like to call Pécs local residents) together with children, you should definitely go to
Among the traditional souvenirs and memorable gifts that enjoy the attention of numerous tourists, Tokaj and Villany wines, ceramic dishes, leather goods, the famous Zsolnai porcelain and wood are widely distributed in the shops and markets of the city. A significant number of antique shops and souvenir shops are concentrated on Kiraly and Ferenc streets. In addition, the city of Pécs has an abundance of all kinds of vegetables, fruits and spices. Lovers of culinary delights experience special pleasure from staying in these places. Hundreds of cafes, restaurants and snack bars operate here every day, offering dishes for every taste. Lovers of sweets have the opportunity to enjoy various pastries, miniature cakes and pastries, and supporters of classic culinary preferences can get to know not only Hungarian, but also Asian, Italian, Latin, Japanese, Chinese and even African cuisine. Numerous wines are also an integral part of the menu at local restaurants and for true gourmets there are always a lot of interesting surprises prepared here.
Not far from the town of Pecs are the famous balneotherapeutic resort of Harkany and the village of Villany, where wine is produced in every house. People come here not to get drunk, but to taste some varieties of this drink. Wines from this village are also sold in Vinoteka stores.
Pecs is really very beautiful city with a cozy atmosphere. You can wander its streets for hours, each time discovering something new: beautiful building, a small cafe with very tasty cakes, a shop that sells intricate Hungarian souvenirs. After just a few minutes of such a walk, you begin to understand the patriotism of the inhabitants of Pécs: you really don’t want to part with this city.

While walking along the cozy streets of Pécs, you often notice barn locks hanging in the most unexpected places. Is this a strange prank, an accident, or perhaps these locks perform some important function? In fact, this is an ancient local tradition, symbolizing the residents' attachment to their hometown. It is believed that hanging a lock and throwing away the key will help you never be separated from your beloved city. Indeed, after just a few minutes of being in Pec, you begin to understand the patriotism of its inhabitants. The indescribable flavor of this city, its amazing comfort and beauty make you fall in love with Pécs at first sight.

A little history
Pecs is the largest and at the same time the most ancient of the Hungarian cities. It is located among the picturesque hills of the South Transdanubia, at the foot of Mount Mecsek. The landscape and climate of these places is not typical for Hungary, which is why Pécs is often called a city with a Mediterranean atmosphere. Its numerous cafes are full of life from morning until late at night, figs ripen in the gardens (a rarity for Hungary), and in the spring southern flowers bloom on the slopes of Mount Mecsek. Already two thousand years ago, on the site of modern Pec, stood the flourishing city of Sofiana, part of the Roman province of Pannonia. The main road of the Roman Empire, the so-called Mediterranean route, connecting the eastern and western provinces, ran through Sophiana. At the same time, grave chambers from the era of early Christianity appeared, the first of which was discovered at the end of the 18th century. As a result of archaeological excavations in subsequent centuries, carried out under the area of ​​the Dome Cathedral, several more such burials were discovered. In 2000, the unique early Christian complex, which includes 16 objects, was included in the UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage. Some of the vaulted, frescoed mausoleums are open to the public.
In 1367, the first university in Hungary was founded in Pécs, and in 1774 the first public library. The city's episcopate was also one of the first in the country; it was founded in 1009. Special flavor architectural appearance The city adds many surviving monuments to 150 years of Turkish rule, including 2 mosques.

Attractions Pecs
The amazing proximity of monuments from different eras and cultures makes Pécs one of the most interesting cities in Hungary. In the center of the Old Town, on Széchenyi tér, stands an unusual voluminous building under a green dome. Externally, this building is very reminiscent of a mosque, but at the top above the crescent crowning its dome there is a Catholic cross. The history of the mosque-church is as follows. Initially, in its place there was a Catholic church in the Romanesque style. In the 16th century, Pécs, like many other cities in Hungary, was captured by the Turks. Having added a minaret, they turned the temple into the mosque of Pasha Gazi Kasim. After the expulsion of the Turks, the mosque was again transformed into a Catholic church, which was taken over by the Jesuit order. The cross was placed directly above the crescent as a symbol of the victory of Christianity. Over the following centuries, the church underwent some changes, however, even under these later layers one can discern Islamic elements, such as, for example, the characteristic pointed arches over the windows, niches, bright geometric patterns, the remains of a mihrab, a prayer niche located on the side of the mosque facing Mecca . Today the temple is the parish church of Belvaros.
Not far from the church stands the 18th-century Holy Trinity Column and a monument to the outstanding 15th-century military leader Janos Hunyadi.
Not far from Szechenyi Square is Kossuth Square. Here it is worth paying attention to the lavishly decorated building of the city hall and the synagogue, restored at the end of the last century. Both the external and internal decoration of the synagogue leaves a strong impression. The facade of the building, divided into three parts, is decorated with a clock with an inscription in Hebrew. The interior of the synagogue is richly decorated with oak and decorated with floral ornaments. One of the main rarities of the temple is a magnificent organ produced by the famous Pech company Angaster. The Book of Remembrance, kept in the synagogue, lists the names of Jewish residents of Pecs who died at the hands of the Nazis.
In total, in the central part of Pécs there are four squares: Széchenyi, Kossuth, Dom Square (Dom tér) and St. Stephen's Square. Dome Square, as it should be, is the main one; here is the most beautiful temple in the city - the Basilica of St. Peter and Paul with four high towers at the corners. Its lower temple is the first Christian church in the country, built during the time of King Stephen I. By the 12th century, a new church in the Romanesque style was built above it. Over the following centuries, the church was rebuilt and reconstructed several times. Gradually, several chapels were added to the main nave: the Corpus Christi, the Chapel of the Virgin Mary and the Chapel of the Heart of Christ.
The Turks who conquered the country treated the temple without any respect, first setting it up as a warehouse and then a stable. After their expulsion, the cathedral was rebuilt in the Baroque style, but it soon fell into disrepair and gradually began to collapse. In the end, the city authorities decided to revive the building. Reconstruction work lasted almost 10 years. The cathedral, restored in the neo-Romanesque style, was consecrated in 1891. Interior decoration of the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul is simply magnificent, no wonder it is considered one of the most beautiful religious buildings in Hungary! Bright from floor to ceiling patterns in warm colors, gilded decorations on columns and galleries, many ancient beautiful frescoes this temple leaves behind a truly unforgettable impression. Pay special attention to the cathedral ceiling, decorated with tiled tiles. The design on it is different everywhere, thus illustrating the idea that each person is a unique creation of the Lord, but at the same time, all people are equal before the Almighty. Another attraction inside the cathedral is the huge organ on which Franz Liszt played his works. By the way, you can see the great composer in person very close by: he is standing, leaning on the railing of the Bishop's Palace (another magnificent building of the Dome Square), and looking at the square spread out below. This is such an original monument!
Not far from the palace you can see the barbican - a small round bastion, erected in the 15th century for defensive purposes and well preserved to this day.
Many other interesting sights await you while walking through Pec: this is the unique early Christian burial ground on St. Stephen's Square, listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage, and the mosque of Pasha Hassan Jacob Ali, one of the best preserved monuments Muslim architecture in Hungary, and the famous Neo-Rococo National Theater of Pecs with its fancy decorations and flowing architectural lines, and the interesting post office building, decorated with the family coat of arms of the Zsolnay family - the founders of the famous porcelain factory in Pecs. Be sure to check out Káptalan utca, a kind of museum quarter in Pécs. House No. 2, which, by the way, is the oldest residential building in the city, houses the Zsolnay Porcelain Museum. Museum exposition, which presents best works a manufactory known throughout Europe, tells the story of the famous family. In the house opposite is the Victor Vasarely Museum. A native of Pecs, Vasarely left his hometown in 1930 and went to France, where he gained fame as one of the most unusual artists and sculptors of our time. Vasarely became the founder of the op art style (from the English optical art optical art), an artistic movement that uses various visual illusions based on the peculiarities of the perception of flat and spatial figures. At the end of the 60s, Vasarely donated most of his works to his hometown. The museum's exhibition includes paintings, sculptures, and design objects created by an outstanding artist. Art lovers also recommend checking out art gallery Pecha, located in house No. 4. Its exhibition presents the work of Hungarian artists and sculptors late XIX beginning of the 20th century.
Pécs is truly a very beautiful city with a cozy atmosphere. You can wander its streets for hours, each time discovering something new: a beautiful building, a small cafe with very tasty cakes, a shop selling intricate Hungarian souvenirs. After just a few minutes of such a walk, you begin to understand the patriotism of the inhabitants of Pécs: you really don’t want to part with this city. However, there is always the opportunity to buy a lock and hang it in some secluded place. And, of course, don’t forget to throw away the key!

 

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