Pecs, Hungary

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secular and religious buildings dating from medieval and later times and contemporary art exhibitions.

History

There are signs of human habitation in the Pécs region dating back to the Late Stone Age. On the site of a 5th C BC Celtic village the Romans founded a settlement called Sopianae, and in the 3rd C, this was elevated to the status of administrative capital of the part of the province known as Pannonia Valeria. In the 9th C, the town already boasted five Christian churches, as indicated in its Latin name of Quinque Basilicae (Five Churches). In 1009 St Stephen founded the Pécs diocese. After being attacked by the Mongols in 1242-43 the town was rebuilt and soon blossomed both economically and culturally, and in 1367 it became the seat of the country's first university. The famous humanitarian, academic and writer Janus Pannonius (1434-72) was Bishop of Pécs 1459-72. During the 150 years or so of Turkish rule Pécs never lost its importance; as the headquarters of the military governor it became a lively town steeped in Turkish culture with large numbers of Moslem institutions and no less than ten mosques. After the Turks had been driven out the indigenous Hungarian population of Pécs was largely replaced by German settlers from Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. In 1780 the good people of Pécs were released by the bishop from their feudal bonds. In the early 19th C, industrialization and the discovery of coal in the Mecsek Mountains led to an economic boom, as witnessed by the many fine buildings of the period with their richly decorated frontages.

Education and culture have always played an important role in Pécs. The Pécs Theatre Ballet Company is internationally acclaimed as the forerunner of modern ballet. The University was re-established in the 20th C, and now offers courses in medicine, law, philology, technical and economic sciences and is one of the most renowned universities in Hungary. Pécs is also the cultural center of the Germans, known as the "Danube Swabians", who have settled here since the 18th C.

Economy

Important industries in Pécs include uranium and coal-mining, tool-making, the leather industry and the manufacture of porcelain (Zsolnay Ceramics). Along the lower stretches of the Mecsek the mild climate aids the cultivation of excellent grapes.