Sights in Pécs

Pécs lies in southern Hungary, on the edge of the Mecsek Mountains and near the Croatian border. The city is the seat of Baranya County and has county status itself. With its Mediterranean atmosphere and colourful houses, it evokes southern landscapes.

The city has a long history. There were already settlements here in pre-Roman times, and later it flourished as the Roman city of Sopianae. In the Middle Ages it was known as Quinque Ecclesiae, from which the German name Fünfkirchen is derived. After Ottoman rule, Danube Swabian settlers shaped the region, which is why it is also called the “Swabian Turkey.”

Pécs is distinguished by a blend of historic architecture and vibrant culture. The early Christian burial chambers are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while the mosques from Ottoman times now serve as museums. The city was the European Capital of Culture in 2010 and is home to one of the country’s oldest universities. With its botanical garden, viticulture institute and southern flair, it is a cultural and economic centre of the region.