Pecs Things to Do

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Second largest square within city 'walls' that is - and it's not just a typical square: it extends into park area with large fountain plus many trees and a promenade towards Szechenyi square, enclosed by monumental historic buildings and ruins. Being on a slope, it is interestingly articulated from 'bottom till top' - the two categories difficult to frame but let's used them within square's context!
Named by the St. Peter and Paul cathedral which dominates it at its highest ground, adorned with several sculptures and broad paved area - being traffic free it is nice area to sit down and enjoy the spring like air. Number of people come to the park to do so as well as birds.

Large Franciscan (Ferencesek) church dominates the western end of the street to which it gives name to - and it's among those churches (its original form) in Pecs that were transformed to mosque during Turkish era - and then again, returned to property of Franciscan order after invader was gone. Originally, the earlier monastery and church were founded already sometime about 13th century (information in different sources vary, but let's for the sake of curiostiy say between 13-14th) and a remain of Gothic sanctury lays next to it, in a small square - note the ruin as you approach from Jokai ter.

The building you see today was built in 18th century and a remain of the former wall can be seen behind it. One of the gates to fortified city once stood next to it, for the street being one of the main one at that time.

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Certain facades draw more attention: one of such cases is Vasvary haz or Vasvary house at Kiraly street, which historically 'occupied' number 19. Here is its notable outstanding stucco executed in great detail, with motives of the owner's wealth bringing business - as he traded iron, this are Gyorgy Vasvary's objects of interest (objects to sale) now craftfully imprinted into building from 19th century - in their symbolic form, telling stories of wealth and status for generations behind him.

Note wreath with birds upon entry in ground floor where his shop was - the upper was reserved for living, so called piano nobile. Here other interesitng features include lion's heads and suggestions of Greek columns - men's favourite symbolic expressing one's wealth.

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Strong, massive, powerful and dominating architecture - these are maybe the first words to relate with Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul - but only if you enter inside, you will see full scale of its richness; for what it's outside - it is 'just' facade. Its uniqueness expressed in four towers, one by each corner - and a 'neo-Romanesque' compostion that in some details reminds to Mediterranean structures, somehow. It takes central place upon vast, declining Dom square, in vicinity of other religious buildings and a park with promenade plus most important, built almost immediately upon the early Christian ruins from 4th century - see the glass covered floors outside in front of cathedral to get a glance into sub-terranean niches.

Shining from gold and colors inside - it's not a place to look for modesty. The earliest remain of the church is from 11th century when it was originally built, but changed many times later to its final state - one you see today; that stage was executed by the end of 19th century. Recently catherdal was declared 'basilica'.

Inside, beside focus on the detail, frescoes and furnishing, couple of religion related exhibitions are displayed in a sepratared chambers, next to the main central place by a side and in a 'cellar'. Information about church is in several different languages, taking photos is allowed.

From the outside you'll note very interestingly designed metal doors, with the motive of vine - here is the entry for visitors to cathderal during opening hours and the door itself is one of the key attractions.

It was 800 HUF per person for entry in 2011.

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Medium sized square in pedestrian section of city centre that is; named upon Lajos Kossuth, notable politician. You'll reach Kossuth square by a few minute short walk on Irgalmasok street, one that rays from Szechenyi square at its Southern corner.

This was the place that changed several uses - it was market place (piac) in 19th century here, then bus station and parking place in 20ieth, when they finally made wise decision: they moved car underground to a garage and reconstructed it to a pedestrian only square in 2008.
Now square is dominated by once popular department shop from 1980ies (now Chinese shop), when this building 'landed' to s square like a space shuttle - comparatively speaking. Look at its historic neighbours and you'll see why - among them, the Synagogue stands out with its cubus.

This is one of smaller churches in Pecs, yet in the centre of city - on Szechenyi square in its Southern edge, it won't remained unnoticed. Well, its facade was under large reconstruction project at time of our visit, so it was entierly covered by protecting cloth by its main facade. You could enter inside however to see the frescoes and furnishing, they're quite worth to note - though of simplier graphic language and elements than by other churches. Patron of the church is St. Sebastian and originally the church was built in early 18th century and initially Capuchins took care of it (and adjoining monastery). By end of 18th century, the order of Hospitaller brothers of St. John of God took place in the church and whose mission is to help sick and suffering men. Phase of renoavation folowed in the end of 19th century; church is also known under it's other name - Irgalmas templom.

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Another notable architecture of early 20ieth cenutry manifests itself in a building of main post office, Posta, near intersection of Jokai ut. with Rakoczi, oposite Citrom lane. Designed by Erno Balazs, with Zsolnay ceramics, couple of fine sculptures and stucco on the pastel-colored frontal facade and its most impressive feature, the coat of arms in tympanum. Story goes that this wonderful piece of art was nearly severed during Communist era, if it wasn't wisely (but with great risk) hidden behind metal sheet.

Therefore, come to see what brave people preserved; it's not only a place to send your (real) mail.

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One of the main reasons to visit Pecs will be its UNESCO listed site of an Early Christian cemeteries of Sopianae (Pecs name during Roman era). They made to the list in 2000 and great restauration works have been executed since long time before - as without doubt, the ruins represent one of the most interesting Historic periods and were finely preserved.

The site where most ruins lay is in vicinity to the Cathedral, mainly below the surface of the Dom square.
You'll need to devote fair deal of time (if you're into that) to carefully browse the sites, there are few scattered. Greatest porportion of attention will go to Cella Septichora, related with burial chambers and chapel, now connected into underground network of sites, opened for visitors since 2007 and can be entered through recently built Visitor centre.

We decided to visit (since we were little late with our time anyways) its Early Christian Mausoleum from 3rd century; its location is somewhat in the middle of square in its lower part below stairs, next to a park with fountain. Outside on the surface (see 2nd photo)you'll note the basic ground floor plan with ruins of a burial chamber, built on a principles of late Antiquity. You can take a walk around and enter 'inside', it's small and it's free for that part.

Then, the true essence of it lays in the underground - so take few steps and you'll enter quiet, beautiful world of the burial chamer - excellently preserved place, which is protected from physical touch with large glass - yet you'll get all the view you need. Note ancient murals by the side (Adam and Eva, the symbolic Biblic motives) and carved marble sarcophagus. Two other sarcophaguses in chamber are not in that good condition after 1800 years - they were of sandstone - more vulnerable a material.

Fee: 600 HUF per adult. 300 per senior, children and student. More details on this web site
here .

Guided tours for Cella Septichora are available.