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Lying equidistant from the Danube and the Dráva rivers in Southern Transdanubia, Pécs is the fourth largest city of Hungary and the largest in the Mecsek Hill region. Hungary’s fourth largest city, Pecs is a virtual museum and remains proud of its two thousand year history. |
Situated 123 miles southwest of Budapest, the city enjoys a particularly warm and arid climate. The rolling hills around Pécs are the source of some of Hungary's finest fresh fruit. Known as the "2,000-year-old city," Pécs was a major settlement in Roman times, and was called Sopianae. It later became the site of Hungary's first university founded in 1367.
Pécs thrived during the almost 150-year Turkish occupation and several monuments are silent reminders of that period. From 16th and 17th century Turkish architecture to magnificent Romanesque Cathedrals, the 100 year old National theatre to the Symphonic Orchestra and Ballet, Pecs has many historical places to boast of. There are more than 30 museums and numerous art galleries spread throughout the city as well as 250 restaurants that run the gamut of international cuisine, including Chinese, Arabian, Greek and the Mediterranean flavors of local dishes.
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The symbol of the city is the Mosque Church, the largest building from the Turkish occupation that is standing intact in Hungary. The square mosque with an octagonal green copper dome was built in the mid-16th century. After the expulsion of the Turks, the Catholic Church resumed possession. |
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The Islamic elements are still in evidence in the structure like prayer niches carved into the walls, distinctive S-shaped arches and geometric frescoes on the cupola. Nearby is the synagogue, another of Pécs extraordinary monuments, built in the Romantic style in 1869. It has carved oak galleries and pews, ceiling paintings and the ornate Ark of the Covenant in the sanctuary.
Among the city's best museums are the Victor Vasarely Museum and the Zsolnay Porcelain Exhibit. Vasarely was the father of Op Art, a style popular in the 1960s and although some of the exhibited works by him and his acolytes are dated, most are evocative and tactile. The Zsolany porcelain factory, established in 1851, was at the forefront of art and design in Europe for more than half a century. Many of its tiles were used to decorate buildings throughout the country and helped establish a new pan-Hungarian style of architecture.
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