The attractions of Pécs

©Pécsi Egyházmegye Fotó: Sasvári János

Pécs is the economic and cultural centre of Southern Trans-danubia, one of the largest towns of Hungary and it is a county seat. It lies at a distance of 25 kms from Harkány.

The Roman established a town at the start of the 2nd century that they named Sopianae in the region where Celtic and Pannon tribes had been living. The locality had become a provincial seat and one of the important ancient Christian centres by the 4th century. The early Christian necropolis established in that period was introduced by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee to the list of world heritage sites in December 2000.

The Episcopate of Pécs was founded by King Saint Stephen and the first university of our country was founded by the Hungarian King Louis the Great in 136. The locality played an important part both in Hungarian history and Hungarian culture. Janus Pannonius (1434-1472) the humanist poet worked in the town and the first public library of Hungary was opened in 1440. The development of the town was not stopped even during Turkish (Ottoman) occupation, it became the most important centre of the Turkish. They established several buildings and institutions: mosques, minarets, a minor house of prayer, school, college (medrese), cloister, bath a part of which is still exists witnessing the Turkish past of the town.

In the 1770’s Klimó György, bishop, played an important part in the history of Pécs by establishing a printing house, the episcopal library and the first upper school for girls of the country. Maria Theresa gave the rank of free royal town to Pécs in 1780. Industrialisation fastened considerably in the first half of the 19th century, it achieved world-fame owing to the Zsolnay porcelain manufacture, the Littke – champaign and the Angster – organ, by becoming a modern town owing to its diligent citizens.

Pécs was one of Europe’s Cultural Capitals in 2010. On that occasion, the town had hosted more festivals and other large-scale cultural and entertaining events than ever. Pécs confirms its outstanding role played in Hungary’s history, multicoloured past with its museums, monuments, city where there is a Mediterranean atmosphere, blossomed squares and its visitors can collect nice experiences.

Between Pécs and Harkány a coach service is operated at any time of the day. You can find the schedule here.

The receptionists of our hotel can provide the guests wishing to take a tour with maps and important information.

Maps – The attractions of Pécs:

Pécs National Theatre and the Kodály Concert Centre

Website of the Pécs National Theatre>>

The Kodály centre is an excellent site for classical concerts.

Museums of Pécs with opening hours:

Zsolnay Cultural Complex

37. Zsolnay V. str.

The Golden Age of the Zsolnay Manufacture – the collection of Gyugyi László

Opening hours:
From 1. April to 31. October: Monday – Sunday: 10:00-18:00
From 2. November to 31. March: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00-17:00