Pécs

{{short description|City with county rights in Southern Transdanubia, Hungary}}

{{Other uses|Pecs (disambiguation){{!}}Pecs}}

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Pécs

| nickname = "The City of Culture" ({{lang|hu|A kultúra városa}})

| settlement_type = City with county rights

| official_name = {{lang|hu|Pécs Megyei Jogú Város}}

| image_skyline = Pécs Montage.jpg

| image_caption = Clockwise from top left: Cathedral, Széchenyi Square, Barbican, Yakovalı Hasan Paşa Mosque, Kossuth Square

| image_blank_emblem =

| image_flag = HUN Pécs flag.svg

| image_shield = COA Hungary Town Pécs.svg

| image_map = {{infobox mapframe |zoom= 9 |stroke-width= 2 }}

| map_caption = Location of Pécs

| pushpin_map = Hungary Baranya#Hungary

| pushpin_relief = 1

| pushpin_label_position =

| pushpin_mapsize =

| pushpin_map_caption= Location of Pécs

| coordinates = {{coord|46|04|15|N|18|13|59|E|region:HU_type:city|display=inline,title}}

| subdivision_type = Country

| subdivision_name = {{HUN}}

| subdivision_type1 = Region

| subdivision_name1 = Southern Transdanubia

| subdivision_type2 = County

| subdivision_name2 = Baranya

| subdivision_type3 = District

| subdivision_name3 = Pécs

| established_title1 = Established

| established_date1 = 2nd century BC

| established_title2 = City status

| established_date2 = 1777 (renewed)

| leader_title = Mayor

| leader_name = Attila Péterffy (Pécs Jövője, Öt Torony)

| leader_title1 = Deputy mayor

| leader_name1 = Lajos Nyőgéri (Pécs Jövője, Hungarian Socialist Party)
Csaba Ruzsa (Independent)

Gábor Zag (Pécs Jövője, Democratic Coalition)

| leader_title2 = Town Notary

| leader_name2 = Dr István Lovász

| area_total_km2 = 162.61

| area_rank = 32nd in Hungary

| elevation_m = 153

| population_total = 145,347 {{decrease}}

| population_as_of = 1 January 2016

| population_footnotes =

| population_density_km2 = 963.43

| population_rank = 5th in Hungary

| population_urban = 251,412 (4th){{cite web|url=https://www.oecd.org/cfe/regional-policy/functional-urban-areas-all-hungary.pdf|title=OECD - FUNCTIONAL URBAN AREAS IN OECD COUNTRIES: HUNGARY|access-date=2018-05-08|archive-date=2018-05-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507221416/https://www.oecd.org/cfe/regional-policy/functional-urban-areas-all-hungary.pdf|url-status=live}}

| population_demonym = pécsi

| demographics_type1 = Population by ethnicity

| demographics1_footnotes= {{cite web|url=http://www.ksh.hu/apps/hntr.telepules?p_lang=EN&p_id=19415|title=Detailed Gazetteer of Hungary|website=www.ksh.hu|access-date=2018-05-08|archive-date=2020-07-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703153804/http://www.ksh.hu/apps/hntr.telepules?p_lang=EN&p_id=19415|url-status=live}}

| demographics1_title1 = Hungarians

| demographics1_info1 = 84.0%

| demographics1_title2 = Germans

| demographics1_info2 = 4.2%

| demographics1_title3 = Romani

| demographics1_info3 = 2.0%

| demographics1_title4 = Croats

| demographics1_info4 = 1.2%

| demographics1_title5 = Romanians

| demographics1_info5 = 0.2%

| demographics1_title6 = Serbs

| demographics1_info6 = 0.2%

| demographics1_title7 = Slovaks

| demographics1_info7 = 0.1%

| demographics1_title8 = Greeks

| demographics1_info8 = 0.1%

| demographics1_title9 = Turks

| demographics1_info9 = 0.1%

| demographics_type2 = Population by religion

| demographics2_footnotes=

| demographics2_title1 = Roman Catholic

| demographics2_info1 = 39.7%

| demographics2_title2 = Greek Catholic

| demographics2_info2 = 0.3%

| demographics2_title3 = Calvinists

| demographics2_info3 = 5.2%

| demographics2_title4 = Lutherans

| demographics2_info4 = 1.3%

| demographics2_title5 = Jews

| demographics2_info5 = 0.1%

| demographics2_title6 = Islam

| demographics2_info6 = 0.1%

| demographics2_title7 = Non-religious

| demographics2_info7 = 27.8%

| postal_code_type = Postal code

| postal_code = 7600 to 7636

| area_code_type = Area code

| area_code = (+36) 72

| website = {{URL|https://pecs.hu/}}

| blank3_name_sec2 = MPs

| blank3_info_sec2 = {{Collapsible list

| title = List

|1=Tamás Mellár (Independent)

|2=Péter Hoppál (Fidesz)

}}

| blank_name = Motorways

| blank_info = M60 Motorway

| blank6_name_sec1 = Airport

| blank6_info_sec1 = Pécs (PEV)

| blank2_name = Distance from Budapest

| blank2_info = {{convert|238|km|abbr=on}} Northeast

| blank1_name_sec1 = NUTS 3 code

| blank1_info_sec1 = HU231

| footnotes = {{designation list | embed=yes

| designation1 = WHS

| designation1_offname = Early Christian Necropolis of Pécs (Sopianae)

| designation1_criteria = iii, iv

| designation1_date = 2000

}}

| timezone = CET

| utc_offset = +01:00

| timezone_DST = CEST

| utc_offset_DST = +02:00||

}}

Pécs ({{IPAc-en|p|eɪ|tʃ}} {{respell|PAYTCH}}, {{IPA|hu|peːt͡ʃ|lang|hu-Pécs.ogg}}; {{langx|hr|Pečuh}}; Slovak: Päťkostolie; also known by alternative names) is the fifth largest city in Hungary, on the slopes of the Mecsek mountains in the country's southwest, close to the border with Croatia. It is the administrative and economic centre of Baranya County, and the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pécs.

A city dating back to ancient times, settled by the Celts and the Romans, it was made an episcopal see in early medieval Hungary. It has the oldest university in the country, and is one of its major cultural centers. Pécs has a rich cultural and architectural heritage stemming from 150 years of Ottoman rule, and it contains the largest number of Turkish Ottoman buildings found in any city in Central Europe. It is historically a multi-ethnic city where many cultures have interacted through 2,000 years of history. In recent times, it has been recognized for its cultural heritage, including being named as one of the European Capital of Culture cities. The Roman-era Christian necropolis in Pécs was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2000.

Name

The earliest name for the territory was its Roman name of Sopianæ. The name possibly comes from the plural of the Celtic sop meaning "marsh".{{cn|date=August 2024}}

The medieval city was first mentioned in 871 under the name {{lang|la|Quinque Basilicae}} ("five cathedrals".) The name refers to the fact that when constructing the churches of the city, the builders used material from five old Christian chapels. In later Latin documents the city was mentioned as Quinque Ecclesiae ("five churches", a name identical in meaning to the German name Fünfkirchen and the Slovak name {{lang|sk|Päťkostolie}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y3vnAAAAMAAJ&q=P%C3%A4%C5%A5kostolie |title=Slovenská reč: časopis pre výskum a kultúru slovenského jazyka |access-date=2013-03-12|year=1998 }}).

The name Pécs appears in documents in 1235 in the word Pechyut (with modern spelling: pécsi út, meaning "road to/from Pécs") most likely derives from the Proto-Slavic *pęčь or from the Illyrian *penče, both meaning five.{{Cite journal |last=Kniezsa |first=István |year=1962 |editor-last=Beke |editor-first=Ödön |title=Pécs város neve |trans-title=The name of the city of Pécs |journal=Magyar Nyelvőr |pages=326–329}} In other languages: in Latin, Quinque Ecclesiae; in Italian, Cinquechiese; in Croatian, Pečuh; in Serbian, {{lang|sr|Печуј}} (Pečuj); in Slovak, Päťkostolie; in Czech, {{lang|cs|Pětikostelí}}; in Dutch, {{lang|nl|Vijfkerken}}; in German, Fünfkirchen; and in Turkish, Peçuy.

Geography

Pécs is located in the Carpathian Basin of Central Europe, in the center of the southern Hungarian county of Baranya. It is bordered by the Mecsek hills to the north, and by a rolling plain to the south. Pécs has a significant mining past. Mecsek dolomitic water is famous for its steady, balanced high density of minerals.

The city of Pécs is located near the border of Croatia. Its southern part is rather flat whereas its northern part clings to the slope of the Mecsek mountains. It has a very favorable climate, and is bordered by a flourishing woody area. During hot summer nights a cooling air streams down from Mecsek to clean the air of the city.[http://www.pecs2010.hu/hun/ Pécs klímája] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080609080653/http://www.pecs2010.hu/hun/ |date=2008-06-09 }}

Pécs is bordered by plains to the south (elevation 120–130 m), while the Mecsek mountains rise up to elevations of 400–600 meters behind the city. Jakab-hill, located in the western Mecsek, is 592 m (1942 ft) tall, Tubes, straight above Pécs, is 612 m (2008 ft) tall, and Misina is 535 m (1755 ft) tall.{{cite web|url=http://www.kislexikon.hu/mecsek-hegyseg.html|title=Mecsek-hegység - Lexikon ::|first=BioDigit|last=Kft.|website=www.kislexikon.hu|access-date=2010-04-05|archive-date=2010-01-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125202632/http://www.kislexikon.hu/mecsek-hegyseg.html|url-status=live}} Higher parts of the city climb up to 200–250 m (656 to 820 ft), mainly Pécsbánya, Szabolcsfalu, Vasas and Somogy. Woody areas generally start from elevations of about 300 m (984 ft). The Mecsek hills are marked by numerous valleys which play a key role in ameliorating the climate of the city in the absence of lakes and rivers. Waters coming down from the Mecsek hills flow into the Pécsi stream under the east–west rail road leading them eventually to the Danube.

History

{{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site

| WHS = Early Christian Necropolis of Pécs (Sopianae)

| Image = Pécs - Early Christian Mausoleum 01.JPG

| Caption = Remnants of a Paleochristian church, 4th century AD

| Criteria = Cultural: iii, iv

| ID = 853

| Year = 2000

| Area = 3.76 ha

| Buffer_zone = 4.87 ha

}}

= Ancient Roman city =

{{Main|Early Christian Necropolis of Pécs}}

File:Pécs - Early Christian Mausoleum 02.JPG

The area has been inhabited since ancient times, with the oldest archaeological findings being 6,000 years old. Before the Roman era, the area was inhabited by Celts.

The city of Sopianae was founded by Romans at the beginning of the 2nd century, in an area peopled by Celts and Pannoni tribes.

In the early 2nd century, when much of today's western Hungary was a province of the Roman Empire named Pannonia, the Romans founded several wine-producing colonies under the collective name of Sopianae where Pécs now stands.

The centre of Sopianae was where the Bishop's Palace now stands. Some parts of the Roman aqueduct are still visible. When the Roman province of Pannonia was divided into four administrative divisions, Sopianae was named the capital of the division named Valeria.

By the 4th century, Sopianae became the capital of Valeria province and a significant early Christian centre. The early Christian necropolis in the city dates back to this era, and the Christian tombs there are unique in their architectural design, consisting of underground burial chambers below above-ground memorial chapels, and are highly decorated with Christian murals.{{cite web |title= Early Christian Necropolis of Pécs (Sopianae) |website= UNESCO World Heritage Convention |publisher= United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization |url= https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/853 |access-date= 14 May 2023}} These tombs became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 2000.{{cite web|title=Pécs, a kultúra városa|url=http://www.pecs.hu/index.php?foid=1&oldal=koszonto|access-date=2010-04-05|archive-date=2008-04-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080424162830/http://www.pecs.hu/index.php?foid=1&oldal=koszonto|url-status=live}} By the end of the century, Roman rule weakened in the area, mostly due to attacks by various Barbarian peoples, more prominently the Huns.

= Early-medieval city =

When Charlemagne arrived in the area in 791, it was ruled by the Avars. Charlemagne, after conquering the area, annexed it to the Holy Roman Empire, where it belonged to the Diocese of Salzburg.Kleindel (2004). Österreich, Zahlen – Daten - Fakten, Sonderausgabe A&M, {{ISBN|3-902397-49-7}}.

A document written in Salzburg in 871 is the first one mentioning the early-medieval city under the name Quinque Basilicae. During the 9th century, the city was inhabited by Slavs and Avars, and was part of the Balaton Principality, a Frankish vassal state.

= The Hungarian city in the Middle Ages =

File:Pécs - Castle 01.jpg

File:Crypt. Pécs Cathedral4.jpg]]

File:Shield runic.jpg (circa 1250 AD)]]

According to György Györffy's theory of place names, after the Hungarians conquered the Carpathian Basin, they retained a semi-nomadic lifestyle, changing pastures between winter and summer. Árpád's winter quarters – clearly after his occupation of Pannonia in 900 – were perhaps in Pécs.Gubcsi, Lajos (2011). [http://mek.oszk.hu/09100/09132/09132.pdf Hungary in the Carpathian Basin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312171632/http://mek.oszk.hu/09100/09132/09132.pdf |date=2020-03-12 }}, MoD Zrínyi Media Ltd Later, when the Comitatus of Baranya was established, the capital of the comitatus was not Pécs but a nearby castle, Baranyavár ('Baranya Castle'). Pécs, however, became an important religious centre and episcopal seat. In Latin documents, the city was mentioned as Quinque Ecclesiae. Around 1000, the area was inhabited by the Black Magyars. The Deed of Foundation of the Diocese of Pécs was issued in 1009.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Pécs was founded in 1009 by Stephen I, and the first university in Hungary was founded in Pécs in 1367 by Louis I the Great. (The largest university, with about 34,000 students, is still based in Pécs.)[http://www.okm.gov.hu/main.php?folderID=1488&articleID=233289&ctag=articlelist&iid=1 www.okm.gov.hu, Oktatási és Kulturális Minisztérium oldala, Az Oktatási Évkönyv 2008/2009 letölthető PDF-formátumban.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070625120920/http://www.okm.gov.hu/main.php?folderID=1488 |date=2007-06-25 }}

Peter Orseolo, the second king of Hungary, was buried in the cathedral in 1046. The location of his grave is unknown. This is because the cathedral burnt down shortly after Pécs hosting the 1064 Easter celebrations by King Solomon, after him making peace with his cousin, the later King Géza I. The cathedral was rebuilt in the second half of the 11th century and stands until today.

Several religious orders settled down in Pécs. The Benedictine order was the first in 1076. In 1181, there was already a hospital in the city. The first Dominican monastery of the country was built in Pécs in 1238.

King Louis I the Great founded a university in Pécs in 1367, following the advice of the city's bishop, William, who was also the king's chancellor. It was the first university in Hungary. The founding document is almost word for word identical with that of the University of Vienna, stating that the university has the right to teach all arts and sciences, with the exception of theology.

In 1459, Janus Pannonius, the most important medieval poet of Hungary became the bishop of Pécs. He strengthened the cultural importance of the city.

The great humanist poet, bishop Janus Pannonius, developed Pécs into one of the cultural and arts centres of the country.[http://www.dravanet.hu/hunor/frame-pecs%20hun.htm Pécs kulturális központ] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090315062531/http://dravanet.hu/hunor/frame-pecs%20hun.htm |date=2009-03-15 }}

= Ottoman rule =

{{See also|Ottoman Hungary}}

File:Pécs - Mosque Church 01.jpg

File:Pécs - Yakovali Hassan Mosque 01.jpg]]

After the 1526 Battle of Mohács, in which the invading Ottoman army defeated the armies of King Louis II, the armies of Suleiman occupied Pécs. Not only was a large part of the country occupied by the Ottomans, the public opinion of who should be the king of Hungary was divided, too. One party supported Ferdinand of Habsburg, the other party crowned John Zápolya in Székesfehérvár.{{cn|date=March 2023}} The citizens of Pécs supported Ferdinand, but the rest of Baranya county supported John. In the summer of 1527, Ferdinand defeated the armies of Zápolya and was crowned king on November 3. Ferdinand favoured the city because of the support of its citizens, and granted Pécs tax exemption. The city was rebuilt and fortified.{{cn| date=March 2023}}

In 1529, the Ottomans captured Pécs again, and went on a campaign against Vienna. The Ottomans forced Pécs to accept King John (who was allied with them) as their ruler. John died in 1540. In 1541, the Ottomans occupied the castle of Buda and ordered Isabella, the widow of John, to cede Pécs to them, due to the city's strategic importance.{{cn| date=March 2023}} The citizens of Pécs defended the city against the Ottomans and swore loyalty to Ferdinand.{{cn| date=March 2023}} The emperor helped the city and defended it from further Ottoman attacks, but his advisers persuaded him into focusing more on the cities of Székesfehérvár and Esztergom instead of Pécs. Pécs was preparing for the siege, but a day before, Flemish and Walloon mercenaries fled from the city and raided the nearby lands. The next day, in June 1543, the bishop himself went to the Ottomans with the keys of the city.{{cn| date=March 2023}}

After occupying the city, the Ottomans fortified it and turned it into a truly Ottoman city. The churches were turned into mosques, complete with minarets; Turkish baths and were built, Qur'an schools were founded, and there was a bazaar in place of the market.{{cn|date=March 2023}} For one hundred years the city was an island of peace in a land of war. It was the central city of a sanjak, at first in the Budin Eyalet and later, as "Peçuy", in the Kanije Eyalet.

The Ottoman era resulted in numerous landmarks, such as the mosque of Pasha Qasim the Victorious at Széchenyi Square, the tomb of İdris Baba, and the Yakovalı Hasan Paşa Mosque.

The Ottoman chronicler İbrahim Peçevi (Ibrahim of Pécs), whose work forms the main body of reference for Ottoman history between 1520 and 1640, was a native of the city.[https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/93102 İbrahim Peçevi (Ibrahim Pečevija), an Ottoman Historian from Pécs Writing on Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina] (in Croatian). University of Zagreb. Retrieved 2 June 2023

In 1664, Croat-Hungarian nobleman Nicholas Zrínyi arrived in Pécs with his army. Since the city was well into the Ottoman territories, they knew that even if they occupied it, they could not keep it for long, so they planned only to pillage it. They ravaged and burned the city but could not occupy the castle. Mediaeval Pécs was destroyed forever, except for the wall encircling the historical city, a single bastion (Barbakán), the network of tunnels and catacombs beneath the city (partially closed down, and partially in possession of the famous Litke champagne factory, which can be visited today). {{cn| date=June 2008}} Several Turkish structures also survived, namely three mosques, two minarets, remnants of a bath over the ancient Christian tombs near the cathedral, and several houses, one with a stone cannonball embedded in the wall.{{cn|

date=March 2023}}

In the 1686 Siege of Pécs, the Austrian army finally recovered the city from the Ottoman Turks. After wresting the castle of Buda from Ottoman rule, the Christian armies went on to capture Pécs. The vanguard managed to break into the city and pillaged it.{{cn |date= March 2023}} The Ottomans saw that they could not hold the city, burnt it and withdrew into the castle. The army led by Louis of Baden occupied the city on 14 October and destroyed the aqueduct leading to the castle. The Ottomans had no other choice but to surrender, which they did on 22 October.

The city was under martial law under the command of {{ill|Karl von Thüngen|de|Johann Karl von Thüngen}}. The Viennese court wanted to destroy the city first, but later they decided to keep it to counterbalance the importance of Szigetvár, which was still under Ottoman rule. Slowly the city started to prosper again, but in the 1690s two plague epidemics claimed many lives. In 1688, German settlers arrived. Only about one-quarter of the city's population was Hungarian, the others were Germans or Southern Slavs. The census of taxpayers from 1698 lists 637 families, for which Janja Živković Mandić concludes that 308 were of Croatian nationality (Catholic Croats, Racs, Šokci, Bunjevci, Illyrians, Slavs, Bosniaks{{clarify |Many of these terms are overlapping. Next sentence: "Serbs" used as a term distinct from Racs! "Illyrians" proper were ancient peoples, not clear what the term was used for in the 17th c., Albanians maybe? Also, as far as I could find out, Racs is a Hungarian term not used in English. |date= January 2025}}) and the remaining 329 were Hungarians, Germans, Serbs or Greeks. According to same census, István Tabo mentions 171 Hungarian, 349 Slavs and 79 Germans while Đuro Šarošac mentions that at that time in the city lived 325 Croats, 139 Hungarians, 92 Germans, 53 Vlachs and 28 Serbs.Ladislav Heka (2016). The Borders of Baranja Since the Middle Ages Until Today, http://baza.gskos.hr/Graniceidentiteti.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218132411/http://baza.gskos.hr/Graniceidentiteti.pdf |date=2020-02-18 }} #page=29 According to 1698 data, South Slavs comprised more than half of the town's population. Because Hungarians were only a minority, Pécs did not support the revolution against Habsburg rule led by Francis II Rákóczi, and his armies pillaged the city in 1704.

= Early-modern era =

{{Unreferencedsect|date=March 2023}}

File:Hungary-Pecs Main Place.jpg

File:Pécs - County Hall 01.jpg]]

File:Vasvary House Pecs.jpg

File:Pécs nattbild BÅn.JPG

A more peaceful era started after 1710. Industry, trade and viticulture prospered, manufactories were founded, a new city hall was built. The feudal lord of the city was the Bishop of Pécs, but the city wanted to free itself from episcopal control. Bishop George Klimó, an enlightened man (who founded the first public library of the country) would have agreed to cede his rights to the city, but the Holy See forbade him to do so. When Klimó died in 1777, Queen Maria Theresa quickly elevated Pécs to free royal town status before the new bishop was elected. This cost the city 83,315 forints.

According to the first census (held in 1787 by the order of Joseph II), there were 1,474 houses and 1,834 families in Pécs, a total of 8,853 residents, of which 133 were priests and 117 were noblemen.

In 1785, the Academy of Győr was moved to Pécs. This academy eventually evolved into a law school. The first stonework theatre of the city was built in 1839.

At that time or Maria Theresia and her son Josef II, the Danube Swabians from Germany was settled in the City.

= 19th century and later =

The industry developed a lot in the second half of the 19th century. By 1848, there were 1,739 industrial workers. Some of the manufactures were nationally famous. The iron and paper factories were among the most modern ones of the age. Coal mining was relevant. A sugar factory and beer manufactures were built, too. The city had 14,616 residents.

During the revolution in 1848–49, Pécs was occupied by Croatian armies for a short time, but it was freed from them by Habsburg armies in January 1849.

After the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 Pécs developed, like all the other cities and towns of the country. From 1867, Pécs is connected to the nearby town Barcs by railway, and since 1882 it is also connected to Budapest. In 1913, a tram system has been founded, but it was extinguished in 1960.

At the end of World War I, Baranya county was occupied by Serbian troops, and it was not until August 1921 that Pécs could be sure that it remains part of Hungary. The University of Pressburg (modern-day Bratislava, Slovakia) was moved to Pécs after Hungary lost Pressburg according to the Treaty of Trianon.

During World War II, Pécs was captured by Soviet troops of the 3rd Ukrainian Front on 29 November 1944 in the course of the Budapest Offensive. The city suffered only minor damages, even though a large tank-battle took place {{convert|20|-|25|km|0|abbr=off}} south of the city, close to the Villány area late in the war, when the advancing Red Army fought its way towards Austria. Until the end of World War II, the majority Inhabitants was Danube Swabians. Some of the former German settlers was expelled to Germany and Austria in 1945-1948, under the 1945 Potsdam Agreement.{{cite web | url=https://ldu-online.de/die-vertreibung | title=Die Vertreibung – Landsmannschaft der Deutschen aus Ungarn | access-date=2022-01-17 | archive-date=2022-01-16 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116000200/https://ldu-online.de/die-vertreibung | url-status=live }} Germans of Hungary are still a minority in the City.

A history of Hungary from 1945-1990, "under Soviet domination" can be found in A Concise History of Hungary.Molnar, Miklos. (2001). A Concise History of Hungary. English translation. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. After the war, development became fast again, and the city grew, absorbing several nearby towns. In the 1980s, Pécs already had 180,000 inhabitants.

{{Historical populations

|type =

|footnote =

|1870 | 30821

|1890 | 43869

|1900 | 53721

|1910 | 60237

|1920 | 58808

|1930 | 74395

|1941 | 88473

|1949 | 88302

|1960 | 114655

|1970 | 149253

|1980 | 168715

|1990 | 170039

|2001 | 162489

|2011 | 156049

|2022 | 139647

}}

After the end of Socialist era (1989–1990), Pécs and its county, like many other areas, were hit hard by the changes, the unemployment rate was high, the mines and several factories were closed, and the war in neighboring Yugoslavia in the 1990s affected the tourism.

Pécs was also the centre of the Nordic Support Group (NSG) consisting of units from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Poland, as part of the IFOR and later SFOR NATO deployments, after the Dayton Agreement and following peace in former Yugoslavia; the first units were deployed to Pécs in late 1995 and early 1996. The NSG handled the relaying of supply, personnel and other logistical tasks between the participating countries and their deployed forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

In 1998 Pécs was given the UNESCO prize "Cities for Peace" for maintaining its cultural minorities, and also for its tolerant and helping attitude toward refugees of the Yugoslav Wars.{{cite web|url=http://www.hetek.hu/hatter/199804/pecs_a_tolerans_varos|title=Pécs, a toleráns város - Hetek Közéleti Hetilap|website=Hetek Közéleti Hetilap|access-date=2010-04-05|archive-date=2011-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721112555/http://www.hetek.hu/hatter/199804/pecs_a_tolerans_varos|url-status=live}}

In 2007 Pécs was third, and in 2008 it was second "Livable City" (The LivCom Awards)[http://www.livcomawards.com/2009-awards/whole-city-awards.htm www.livcomawards.com, Official site of LivCom awards] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100312042052/http://www.livcomawards.com/2009-awards/whole-city-awards.htm |date=2010-03-12 }} in the category of cities between 75,000 and 200,000 inhabitants.[http://www.ddrkh.hu/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=586 www.ddrkh.hu, 2008. november 12. - Pécs második lett az Élhető Települések döntőjében] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305014935/http://www.ddrkh.hu/modules.php?name=News |date=2009-03-05 }}

In 2010, Pécs was selected to be the European Capital of Culture alongside Essen and Istanbul. The city motto is "The Borderless City". After receiving the title major renewal started in the city.{{cite web|url=http://www.pbkik.hu/index.php?id=7491&term=|title=BETA – Pécs-Baranyai Kereskedelmi és Iparkamara|website=www.pbkik.hu|access-date=2010-04-05|archive-date=2011-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721112355/http://www.pbkik.hu/index.php?id=7491&term=|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bama.hu/baranya/gazdasag/mar-epitik-a-pecsi-buza-teren-a-corsot-123514|title=Már építik a pécsi Búza téren a Corsót - BAMA|access-date=2010-04-05|archive-date=2009-12-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091228163020/http://www.bama.hu/baranya/gazdasag/mar-epitik-a-pecsi-buza-teren-a-corsot-123514|url-status=dead}} Renewed public places, streets, squares and neighbourhoods, new cultural centres, a concert hall, a new library and centre and a cultural quarter were designed.{{cite web|url=http://www.peh.hu/index.php?tid=4&act=show&cid=625&o=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241128000011/http://www.peh.hu/index.php?tid=4&act=show&cid=625&o=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 28, 2024|title=www.peh.hu, Elindult a Sopianae-terv, épül a Déli Ipari Park}}[Pécsre áramlik a tőke www.origo.hu, 2008. 07. 17. - Pécsre áramlik a tőke]

Main sights

File:Pécs Cella Septichora.jpg

File:Barbakan colorful.JPG

File:Tettye Cross.jpg

File:Zsolnay Múzeum épület.JPG Museum. The House from the 13th Century.]]

File:Hungary Pecs 2005 June 068.jpg

File:Csontvary-pecs2.jpg Museum]]

File:Pécs, Király Street, 44.jpg

A good example of the city's history and interesting past can be seen in the main square, where the Gazi Kasim Mosque still stands, and, although consecrated as a church following the retreat of the Ottoman Turks centuries ago, the crescent moon of Islam is still visible on the cupola, surmounted by a cross. Indeed, Pécs is the richest town in Hungary in terms of Turkish architecture, with the ruins of Memi Pasa's Baths and the mausoleum of miracle worker Idris Baba, just two other notable remains. The Yakovalı Hasan Paşa Mosque, dating from the mid-1600s, still functions as an active mosque today. It is open to the public except during Friday services from 2.30 to 3.30 pm.

Demographics

The majority of the citizens with 84.0% are Hungarians according to the 2011 census. The city's Germans are the largest minority with 4.2%. Followed by the Roma (2.0%), the Croats (1.2%) and the Romanians (0.2%).

The largest religious group is the Catholics with 39.7% Roman Catholic and 0.3% Greek Catholic. The second largest denomination is the Calvinists (5.2%), the third the Lutherans (1.3%). 27.8% of the population is non-religious.

Due to the number of international students studying and living in Pécs, a notable diversity of non-permanent citizens could be obviously seen around the city.

Climate

Pécs's climate is classified as humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa). Among them, the annual average temperature is {{Convert|11.5|C}}, the hottest months are July and August with {{Convert|30.0|C}}, and the coldest month is January with {{Convert|0.4|C}}. The annual precipitation is {{Convert|670.9|mm}}, of which June is the wettest with {{Convert|82.8|mm}}, while January is the driest with only {{Convert|31.2|mm}}. The extreme temperature throughout the year ranged from {{Convert|-27.0|C}} on January 23, 1942 to {{Convert|41.3|C}} on July 7, 1950.{{Cite web |url=https://www.met.hu/eghajlat/magyarorszag_eghajlata/eghajlati_adatsorok/Pecs/adatok/szelsosegek/ |title=Szélsőségek 1901-től – Pécs |access-date=15 March 2024 |website=met.hu |publisher=Hungarian Meteorological Service |language=Hungarian |trans-title=Extremes from 1901 - Data: Pécs }}

{{Weather box

|width = auto

|location = Pécs, 1991−2020 normals, extremes 1901-2020

|metric first = yes

|single line = yes

|Jan record high C = 17.0

|Feb record high C = 20.9

|Mar record high C = 26.4

|Apr record high C = 29.9

|May record high C = 33.8

|Jun record high C = 38.9

|Jul record high C = 41.3

|Aug record high C = 39.6

|Sep record high C = 35.2

|Oct record high C = 29.4

|Nov record high C = 24.4

|Dec record high C = 19.5

|year record high C = 41.3

|Jan high C = 3.5

|Feb high C = 6.2

|Mar high C = 11.5

|Apr high C = 17.3

|May high C = 21.8

|Jun high C = 25.6

|Jul high C = 27.7

|Aug high C = 27.6

|Sep high C = 22.2

|Oct high C = 16.6

|Nov high C = 9.9

|Dec high C = 4.0

|year high C = 16.2

|Jan mean C = 0.4

|Feb mean C = 2.1

|Mar mean C = 6.6

|Apr mean C = 11.9

|May mean C = 16.4

|Jun mean C = 20.2

|Jul mean C = 22.0

|Aug mean C = 22.0

|Sep mean C = 16.9

|Oct mean C = 11.7

|Nov mean C = 6.1

|Dec mean C = 1.2

|year mean C = 11.5

|Jan low C = -2.4

|Feb low C = -1.2

|Mar low C = 2.4

|Apr low C = 6.9

|May low C = 11.3

|Jun low C = 14.9

|Jul low C = 16.5

|Aug low C = 16.5

|Sep low C = 12.2

|Oct low C = 7.5

|Nov low C = 3.1

|Dec low C = -1.4

|year low C = 7.2

|Jan record low C = -27.0

|Feb record low C = -24.1

|Mar record low C = -16.2

|Apr record low C = -6.9

|May record low C = -2.6

|Jun record low C = 0.8

|Jul record low C = 5.4

|Aug record low C = 3.4

|Sep record low C = 0.4

|Oct record low C = -9.0

|Nov record low C = -13.0

|Dec record low C = -22.1

|year record low C = -27.0

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 31.2

|Feb precipitation mm = 37.4

|Mar precipitation mm = 33.6

|Apr precipitation mm = 43.6

|May precipitation mm = 81.3

|Jun precipitation mm = 82.8

|Jul precipitation mm = 69.4

|Aug precipitation mm = 63.5

|Sep precipitation mm = 71.6

|Oct precipitation mm = 57.3

|Nov precipitation mm = 51.8

|Dec precipitation mm = 47.4

|year precipitation mm = 670.9

|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm

|Jan precipitation days = 6.1

|Feb precipitation days = 6.9

|Mar precipitation days = 5.8

|Apr precipitation days = 6.8

|May precipitation days = 9.4

|Jun precipitation days = 8.5

|Jul precipitation days = 7.6

|Aug precipitation days = 6.6

|Sep precipitation days = 7.6

|Oct precipitation days = 6.6

|Nov precipitation days = 7.9

|Dec precipitation days = 7.5

|year precipitation days = 87.3

|Jan sun = 68.2

|Feb sun = 92.4

|Mar sun = 145.7

|Apr sun = 186.0

|May sun = 235.6

|Jun sun = 258.0

|Jul sun = 294.5

|Aug sun = 266.6

|Sep sun = 207.0

|Oct sun = 164.3

|Nov sun = 81.0

|Dec sun = 58.9

|Jan humidity = 82.1

|Feb humidity = 75.3

|Mar humidity = 66.6

|Apr humidity = 62.1

|May humidity = 65.6

|Jun humidity = 66.8

|Jul humidity = 63.4

|Aug humidity = 63.0

|Sep humidity = 68.3

|Oct humidity = 74.7

|Nov humidity = 82.3

|Dec humidity = 84.8

|year humidity = 71.3

|source 1 = NOAA{{cite web

|url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Hungary/CSV/PecsPogany_12942.csv

|title = Pecs Climate Normals 1991-2020

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|access-date = August 28, 2023

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230828010301/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Hungary/CSV/PecsPogany_12942.csv

|archive-date = 2023-08-28}}

|source 2 = HungaroMet (Extremes) Hong Kong Observatory (sun 1961-1990)[http://www.hko.gov.hk/wxinfo/climat/world/eng/europe/ger_pl/pecs_e.htm Climatological Information for Pecs, Hungary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023174412/http://www.hko.gov.hk/wxinfo/climat/world/eng/europe/ger_pl/pecs_e.htm |date=2019-10-23 }}, accessed 6 April 2012.

|date=October 2011}}

Economy

File:Gyugyi zsolnay collection 3.jpg - Alhambra vase by Tádé Sikorski (1884)]]

Historically Pécs was well known in Hungary for its industry with several factories, but after the fall of the Iron Curtain many have not managed the economic transition well and went bankrupt (e.g. Pécsi Kesztyűgyár, Pécsi Bőrgyár, Littke Pezsgőgyár etc.).{{cite web|url=https://www.pecsma.hu/abszolut-pecs/tele-van-pecs-az-iparoscsaladok-oroksegeivel/|title=Tele van Pécs az iparoscsaládok örökségeivel|first=Gyimesi|last=Viktor|date=26 July 2016|publisher=www.pecsma.hu|access-date=8 May 2018|archive-date=9 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509151024/https://www.pecsma.hu/abszolut-pecs/tele-van-pecs-az-iparoscsaladok-oroksegeivel/|url-status=live}} Until some years ago, it had a coal and uranium mine, now only its sand mine exists and is operated by the Hungarian-owned Quartz{{cite web|url=http://quartzkft.hu/bemutatkozas.html|title=Quartz Kft - Bemutatkozás|website=quartzkft.hu|access-date=2018-05-08|archive-date=2017-08-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826144828/http://quartzkft.hu/bemutatkozas.html|url-status=live}} mining company.

The nationally (and to a limited extent internationally) famous porcelain factory, the Zsolnay Porcelain is the greatest pride of Pécs. The walls and roofs of several public and private buildings in the city are decorated with the company's porcelains contributing to Pécs's unique cityscape.

The Pécsi Sörfőzde (Pécs Brewery) is one of the four main Hungarian breweries (the others being Dreher Breweries, Borsod Brewery, Heineken Hungária), but the only one of them owned fully by Hungarians. It produces a special beer, that is known for not being strained before bottling.{{cite web|url=http://pecsisor.hu/#pecsi-sorfozes|title=A stílusod egyedi, kívül, belül - Pécsi Sör|website=pecsisor.hu|access-date=2018-05-08|archive-date=2019-07-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709055535/http://pecsisor.hu/#pecsi-sorfozes|url-status=live}}

The Hungarian textilmanufacturer Rovitex Hungária,{{cite web|url=https://www.beol.hu/gazdasag/hazai-gazdasag/uj-gyartocsarnokot-kap-pecsi-rovitex-hungaria-kft-1150835/|title=Új gyártócsarnokot kap a pécsi Rovitex Hungária Kft. - BEOL|access-date=2018-05-08|archive-date=2018-05-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509075628/https://www.beol.hu/gazdasag/hazai-gazdasag/uj-gyartocsarnokot-kap-pecsi-rovitex-hungaria-kft-1150835/|url-status=live}} the American crane manufacturer Terex,{{cite web|url=https://www.terex.com/cranes/about/location-information|title=Locations - Terex Cranes|website=www.terex.com|access-date=2019-04-27|archive-date=2019-04-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427132645/https://www.terex.com/cranes/about/location-information|url-status=live}} the Hungarian scale manufacturer Pécsi Mérlegstúdió,{{cite web|url=https://merlegstudio.hu/cegunkrol|title=Cégünkről|website=merlegstudio.hu|access-date=2018-05-08|archive-date=2018-05-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509075758/https://merlegstudio.hu/cegunkrol|url-status=live}} the Hungarian furniture manufacturer Megyeri Bútor,{{cite web|url=http://butorlapszabaszat.hu/butorlapszabaszat-baranya/megyeri-butor-kft-butorlapszabaszat-pecs|title=Megyeri Bútor Kft. – bútorlapszabászat – Pécs - Országos Bútorlapszabászat és Lapszabászat kereső|last=butorlapszabaszat.hu|website=butorlapszabaszat.hu|access-date=2018-05-08|archive-date=2018-05-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509014707/http://butorlapszabaszat.hu/butorlapszabaszat-baranya/megyeri-butor-kft-butorlapszabaszat-pecs|url-status=live}} the Hungarian cutting-tool manufacturer FORSZ,{{cite web|url=http://forszkft.hu/en/|title=FORSZ Ltd. -|website=forszkft.hu|access-date=2018-05-08|archive-date=2018-05-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509014233/http://forszkft.hu/en/|url-status=live}} the German switchboard manufacturer HB-Kapcsolószekrénygyártó (part of the Bader Gruppe),{{cite web|url=http://badergruppe.com/kontakt/|title=Kontakt|access-date=2018-05-08|archive-date=2018-05-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509013523/http://badergruppe.com/kontakt/|url-status=live}} the Hungarian recycling company Alcufer,{{cite web|url=http://www.alcufer.hu/hu/bemutatkozas/|title=Bemutatkozás — Alcufer Kft.|website=www.alcufer.hu|access-date=2018-05-08|archive-date=2018-04-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180430125030/http://www.alcufer.hu/hu/bemutatkozas/|url-status=live}} the Hungarian agricultural vehiclemanufacturer HIDROT,{{cite web|url=http://hidrot.hu/cegbemutato|title=HIDROT Kft. » Cégbemutató|first=Markcon Informatikai|last=Kft.|website=hidrot.hu|access-date=2018-05-08|archive-date=2018-05-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510233738/http://www.hidrot.hu/cegbemutato|url-status=live}} the Hungarian animal husbandry tool manufacturer Önitató,{{cite web|url=http://onitato.hu/|title=Önitató|access-date=2018-05-08|archive-date=2018-05-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502145947/http://onitato.hu/|url-status=live}} the tobacco factory Pécsi Dohánygyár (owned by British American Tobacco), the Hungarian automotive spare parts manufacturer Matro,{{cite web|url=http://matro.hu/rolunk/|title=Rólunk – Matro|website=matro.hu|access-date=2018-05-08|archive-date=2018-05-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509012757/http://matro.hu/rolunk/|url-status=live}} the Hungarian safe manufacturer Strauss Metal,{{cite web|url=http://www.straussmetal.hu/rolunk|title=Rólunk - Strauss Metal Kft. Biztonságtechnika kis és nagyker, Páncélszekrény, széf, lemezszekrény gyártás, Lemezvágás, Lemezmegmunkálás, lézervágás, élhajlítás|website=www.straussmetal.hu|access-date=2018-05-08|archive-date=2018-05-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509013459/http://www.straussmetal.hu/rolunk|url-status=live}} the Hungarian packaging machine manufacturer SOMAPAK,{{cite web|url=http://somapak.hu/en/history/|title=Somapak - History|website=somapak.hu|access-date=2018-05-08|archive-date=2018-05-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509013351/http://somapak.hu/en/history/|url-status=live}} the Hungarian plastics producer Termoplast,{{cite web|url=http://www.termoplast.hu/company_review.php|title=Company review - TERMOPLAST Műanyagfeloldgozó Kkt.|website=www.termoplast.hu|access-date=2018-05-08|archive-date=2018-05-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509075632/http://www.termoplast.hu/company_review.php|url-status=live}} the Bocz Printing House,{{cite web|url=http://bocznyomda.hu/|title=Bocz nyomdaipari Kft. – Ofszet- és digitális nyomda Pécsen|website=bocznyomda.hu|access-date=2018-05-08|archive-date=2018-12-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223140738/http://bocznyomda.hu/|url-status=live}} the Hungarian pickles manufacturer Babina,{{cite web|url=http://pannonflavours.org/hu/producer/babina-savanyito-uzem-28.html|title=Pannon Flavour|first=Markcon Informatikai|last=Kft.|website=pannonflavours.org|access-date=2018-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011013848/http://pannonflavours.org/hu/producer/babina-savanyito-uzem-28.html|archive-date=2018-10-11|url-status=dead}} the Hungarian plastic product manufacturer Karsai Pécs,{{cite web|url=https://www.emis.com/php/company-profile/HU/Karsai_Pecs_Kft_en_2595979.html|title=Karsai Pecs Kft. Company Profile - EMIS|website=www.emis.com|access-date=2018-05-08|archive-date=2018-05-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509012652/https://www.emis.com/php/company-profile/HU/Karsai_Pecs_Kft_en_2595979.html|url-status=live}} the Hungarian metal manufacturer Riner Metal{{cite web|url=http://riner.hu/?menu=company&submenu=tortenet|title=Riner-Metal Kft.|last=Web-E|website=riner.hu|access-date=2018-05-08|archive-date=2017-04-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425044932/http://riner.hu/?menu=company&submenu=tortenet|url-status=live}} based there and have their production facilities in the city.

There is a gradual development of modern high-tech industry, with Finnish electronics manufacturing company Elcoteq the largest industrial employer in the city, the Hungarian Z Elektronika{{cite web|url=http://zelektronika.eu/en/#kapcsolat|title=Z Elektronika Kft.|website=zelektronika.eu|access-date=2018-05-08|archive-date=2018-05-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509220707/http://zelektronika.eu/en#kapcsolat|url-status=live}} electronics manufacturer and the Hungarian TG Netcom{{cite web|url=http://www.tgnetcom.hu/index.php?lang=en|title=TG Netcom Kft. - Our company|website=www.tgnetcom.hu|access-date=2018-05-08|archive-date=2018-05-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509012838/http://www.tgnetcom.hu/index.php?lang=en|url-status=live}} IT network manufacturer.

The German transportation company, Dachser has a logistics centre in Pécs.{{cite web|url=http://www.dachser.com/hu/hu/DACHSER-Locations_651.htm|title=Dachser Telephelyek|access-date=2018-05-08|archive-date=2018-05-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509013052/http://www.dachser.com/hu/hu/DACHSER-Locations_651.htm|url-status=live}}

The Biokom{{cite web|url=https://www.biokom.hu/cegbemutatas/|title=CÉGBEMUTATÁS - Biokom|access-date=2018-05-08|archive-date=2020-01-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103194909/https://www.biokom.hu/cegbemutatas/|url-status=live}} waste management and recycling company (owned by the city) is responsible for the transport and recycling of waste in the whole territory of Pécs and the surrounding areas. The energy used in the settlement is produced mainly by the two biomass power plants of Pannonpower (part of Veolia) which consists of a 49,9 MW woodchip-fired and a 35 MW agricultural by-product-fired powerplants.{{cite web|url=http://www.pannonpower.hu/tagvallalatok/pannon-hoeromu-zrt/tevekenysegunk|title=Pannonpower - Tevékenységünk|access-date=2018-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509080111/http://www.pannonpower.hu/tagvallalatok/pannon-hoeromu-zrt/tevekenysegunk|archive-date=2018-05-09|url-status=dead}} The country's largest solar cell field is also in Pécs, thanks to the city's southern location and longer sunny hours, which can produce about 10 MW energy a year. The solar power plant is operated by MVM Hungarowind (part of the MVM Group).{{cite web|url=http://magyarepitok.hu/oriasi-naperomu-epult-pecsi-hoeromu-helyere|title=Óriási naperőmű épült a pécsi hőerőmű helyére|first=REGON Média|last=Zrt.|access-date=2018-05-08|archive-date=2018-05-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509080537/http://magyarepitok.hu/oriasi-naperomu-epult-pecsi-hoeromu-helyere|url-status=live}}

The Expo Center Pécs Exhibition and Conference Centre provides place for international exhibitions and conferences.{{cite web|url=http://www.expocenterpecs.hu/|title=Expo Center Pécs|website=www.expocenterpecs.hu|access-date=2018-05-08|archive-date=2021-07-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185256/http://www.expocenterpecs.hu/|url-status=live}}

Education

The University of Pécs was founded by Louis I of Hungary in 1367. It is the oldest university in Hungary, and is among the first European universities. In the recent past it used to be divided in two universities, one for Medicine and Orthodontics (POTE){{cite web|url=http://aok.pte.hu/|title=PTE Általános Orvostudományi Kar|website=PTE Általános Orvostudományi Kar|access-date=2019-04-27|archive-date=2019-05-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502084317/http://aok.pte.hu/|url-status=live}} and a larger one for other studies: JPTE (Janus Pannonius Tudományegyetem). The POTE (Pécs University Medical School, now known as the Medical School) has a large English program for general medicine and dentistry (with students from America, Asia, Africa, and European countries - including many Scandinavians) and a new German program. On 1 January 2000 these universities were combined under the name University of Pécs (acronym: PTE - Pécsi Tudományegyetem - University of Pécs). Nowadays, the University of Pécs has become the most internationalized university in Hungary with around 5000 international students out of the total of approximately 20000 students (around 25%).{{Cite web|title=International Relations in a Nutshell|url=https://international.pte.hu/international-relations/overview|access-date=2022-01-29|website=international.pte.hu|language=en|archive-date=2022-01-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129230023/https://international.pte.hu/international-relations/overview|url-status=live}}

{{Further|Elementary School of Bártfa Utca}}

Politics

The current mayor of Pécs is Attila Péterffy (Pécs Jövője, Öt Torony).

The local Municipal Assembly, elected at the 2019 local government elections, is made up of 26 members (1 Mayor, 18 Individual constituencies councillors and 7 Compensation List councillors) divided into this political parties and alliances:{{cite web|title=Városi közgyűlés tagjai 2019-2024 - Pécs (Baranya megye)|url=https://www.valasztas.hu/telepules-adatlap_onk2019?_onknavigacio_WAR_nvinvrportlet_formDate=32503680000000&p_p_id=onknavigacio_WAR_nvinvrportlet&p_p_lifecycle=1&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-2&p_p_col_pos=1&p_p_col_count=5&_onknavigacio_WAR_nvinvrportlet_prpVlId=294&_onknavigacio_WAR_nvinvrportlet_prpVltId=687&_onknavigacio_WAR_nvinvrportlet_prpMegyeKod=02&_onknavigacio_WAR_nvinvrportlet_prpTelepulesKod=217&_onknavigacio_WAR_nvinvrportlet_settlement=p%C3%A9cs|agency=valasztas.hu|access-date=2019-10-29|archive-date=2021-07-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185534/https://www.valasztas.hu/telepules-adatlap_onk2019?_onknavigacio_WAR_nvinvrportlet_formDate=32503680000000&p_p_id=onknavigacio_WAR_nvinvrportlet&p_p_lifecycle=1&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-2&p_p_col_pos=1&p_p_col_count=5&_onknavigacio_WAR_nvinvrportlet_prpVlId=294&_onknavigacio_WAR_nvinvrportlet_prpVltId=687&_onknavigacio_WAR_nvinvrportlet_prpMegyeKod=02&_onknavigacio_WAR_nvinvrportlet_prpTelepulesKod=217&_onknavigacio_WAR_nvinvrportlet_settlement=p%C3%A9cs|url-status=live}}

Fidesz policies in Pécs have included a law making homelessness illegal (2014){{Cite news|url=https://budapestbeacon.com/pecs-bans-homeless-from-public-areas/|title=Pécs bans homeless from public areas|date=2014-09-26|work=The Budapest Beacon|access-date=2018-02-28|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-03-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301164341/https://budapestbeacon.com/pecs-bans-homeless-from-public-areas/|url-status=live}} and an official call to property owners not to make space available for an NGO supported by OSF (2017).{{Cite news|url=https://budapestbeacon.com/pecs-adopts-declaration-calling-property-owners-refrain-renting-property-osf-grantee/?_sf_s=pecs|title=Pécs adopts declaration calling on property owners to refrain from renting property to OSF grantee|date=2017-12-14|work=The Budapest Beacon|access-date=2018-02-28|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-03-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301164318/https://budapestbeacon.com/pecs-adopts-declaration-calling-property-owners-refrain-renting-property-osf-grantee/?_sf_s=pecs|url-status=live}}

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! style="background:#ccc" colspan="18" | Current Municipal Assembly

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| Pécs Jövője{{efn|name=opposition|Supported by Opposition coalition.}}

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style="background-color: {{party color|Politics Can Be Different}} |  

| Politics Can Be Different

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=List of mayors=

List of City Mayors from 1990:

class=wikitable
Member

! colspan=2 | Party

! Term of office

Zoltán Krippl

| style="background-color:{{party color|Alliance of Free Democrats}}" |

| SZDSZ

| 1990–1994

Zsolt Páva

| style="background-color:{{party color|Fidesz}}" |

| Fidesz

| 1994–1998

László Toller

| style="background-color:{{party color|Hungarian Socialist Party}}" |

| MSZP

| 1998–2006

Péter Tasnádi

| style="background-color:{{party color|Hungarian Socialist Party}}" |

| MSZP

| 2006–2009

Zsolt Páva

| style="background-color:{{party color|Fidesz}}" |

| Fidesz

| 2009–2019

Attila Péterffy

| style="background-color:{{party color|Independent (politician)}}" |

| Independent{{efn|name=opposition}}

| 2019–

Transport

= Roads =

  • The M6/M60 motorway connects Pécs and Budapest with the driving time between the two cities taking about 2 hours now. The entire route opened on 31 March 2010. Route 6 crosses the city giving it an east–west axle and leaves it towards Barcs by the Croatian border. Secondary routes are:
  • Route 57: Pécs - Mohács,
  • Route 58: Pécs - Drávaszabolcs,
  • Route 66: Pécs - Kaposvár.

= Railway =

Pécs is connected to Budapest through Pusztaszabolcs, and has direct connections to Mohács, Nagykanizsa.

Designed by Ferenc Pfaff,[http://www.idokep.hu/~szvdom/allomas.php?az=pecs www.idokep.hu, Pécs]{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} the main railway station was built in 1900 and became a listed building in 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.pecsinapilap.hu/?id=28828|title=Pécsi Napilap|last=napilapcsoport.hu|website=www.pecsinapilap.hu|access-date=2010-04-05|archive-date=2011-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721112250/http://www.pecsinapilap.hu/?id=28828|url-status=live}} The building itself was built in the style of Renaissance Eclecticism, and it features reliefs depicting James Watt and George Stephenson designed by Ármin Klein and made by the Zsolnay factory.{{cite web|url=http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=bbb8ac3e758bee851ddc85f912c0182f|title=Pécs railway station|website=sketchup.google.com|access-date=2010-04-05|archive-date=2012-10-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021200153/http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=bbb8ac3e758bee851ddc85f912c0182f|url-status=dead}} A mass transit hub -including a bus terminal, a bus stop and a cab rank zone- is situated on the square in front of the railway station.

== Tram ==

A tram formerly operated in the city from 1914 to 1960.{{cn|date=March 2023}}

= Buses =

{{main|Buses in Pécs}}

Buses are the primary form of public transport in the city.

= Airport =

A new airport opened in Pécs Pécs-Pogány International Airport in March 2006. Its main traffic is supplied by smaller charter planes.

Sport

== Notable people born in Pécs ==

File:Tass Olga (tornász).jpg, Olympic gymnast]]

Twin towns – sister cities

{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Hungary}}

Pécs is twinned with:{{cite web|title=Twin cities of Pécs|url=https://pecseconomy.eu/city-of-pecs/twin-cities-of-pecs/|website=pecseconomy.eu|publisher=Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Pécs-Baranya|access-date=2021-09-13|archive-date=2022-02-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220222944/https://pecseconomy.eu/city-of-pecs/twin-cities-of-pecs/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Binjakëzim mes Shkodrës dhe qytetit Pec në Hungari|url=https://ata.gov.al/2018/10/12/binjakezim-mes-shkodres-dhe-qytetit-pec-ne-hungari/|website=ata.gov.al|publisher=Agjencia Telegrafike Shqiptare|language=sq|date=2018-10-12|access-date=2020-11-08|archive-date=2020-11-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113062312/https://ata.gov.al/2018/10/12/binjakezim-mes-shkodres-dhe-qytetit-pec-ne-hungari/|url-status=live}}

{{div col|colwidth=15em}}

  • {{flagicon|SRB}} Novi Sad, Serbia
  • {{flagicon|CZE}} Olomouc, Czech Republic
  • {{flagicon|CRO}} Osijek, Croatia
  • {{flagicon|USA}} Seattle, United States
  • {{flagicon|IRI}} Shiraz, Iran
  • {{flagicon|ALB}} Shkodër, Albania
  • {{flagicon|BUL}} Sliven, Bulgaria
  • {{flagicon|ITA}} Terracina, Italy
  • {{flagicon|USA}} Tucson, United States
  • {{flagicon|BIH}} Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • {{flagicon|CRO}} Zagreb, Croatia

{{div col end}}

The city also has an informal friendship link with Peterborough, England.

Gallery

File:Pécs 2025 (21).jpg|Cathedral

File:Pécs levéltár.JPG|Archives of Pécs

File:Jókai Square, Pécs.jpg|Inner city

File:Szechenyi square new Pecs.JPG|Mosque of Pasha Qasim

File:Pécs, Király St. and Színház Sq. corner.jpg|Király Street

File:PTE-BTK-TTK.jpg|University of Pécs

File:Lyceum templom Pécs.JPG|Király Street

File:Pécs 2025 (13).jpg|Posta Palace

File:Zsolnay-Brunnen, Pécs04.jpg|Eosin glaze of Zsolnay fountain

File:Jokai ter Pecs.jpg|Jókai Square

File:Pécs, Lóránt Palace 01.jpg|City Centre

Pécs 2025 (16).jpg|Houses in the city

File:Hotel Nádor Pécs.JPG|Nádor Hotel

File:Pécs 2025 (11).jpg

File:Hungary Pecs 2005 June 053.jpg|Chapel

File:Tettye Havihegyi kápolna.JPG|Havihegy Chapel

File:Tettye Romok.JPG|Ruins in Tettye

File:Pécs - Saint Sebastian church 01.jpg|St Sebastian Church

File:Hungary Pecs 2005 June 030.jpg|Synagogue

File:Yakovali Hassan Mosque 1.jpg|Yakovalı Hasan Paşa Mosque

File:Pécs MTA-székház.jpg|Hungarian Academy of Sciences in Pécs

File:Hungary Pecs 2005 June 076University.jpg|University of Pécs - Faculty of Humanity and Natural Sciences

File:Hungary Pecs 2005 June 032.jpg|Lajos Kossuth statue

File:02 Pecs, Hungary - Great Synagogue.jpg|Kossuth square and Great Synagogue

File:Hungary pecs - francia emlekmu.jpg|French (Napoleonic War) monument

File:Pecs Tettye 02.jpg|Tettye

File:Megyeszékhely - Baranya megye - Pécs.jpg|Aerial view

File:Pécs látképe.jpg|Panorama

File:Pannonpower-Pécs.jpg|Pannonpower Energy Station

File:Pecs 2010 Logo.svg|Logo of the 2010 European Capital of Culture

See also

References

  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20050211212724/http://juventus.uno.hu/pecs/pecstortenet.htm History of Pécs] {{in lang|hu}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

;Notes

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