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Pecs
has known a long and varied history, going back for more than 2,000 years.
Early Celtic warriors, Roman settlements, nomadic tribes, great Hungarian
kings, Turkish invaders, Habsburg rulers, revolutions, wars,Soviet
occupation, and now, freedom and democracy: Pecs has experienced all this.
The remains and influences of its past have made Pecs a fascinating and
beautiful city.
With 180,000 inhabitants,
Pecs is the administrative center of Baranya County. Its large university,
founded in 1367, is the fifth oldest in Europe. Its four-spired Romanesque
Cathedral, founded in the 11th century by King Stephen I, is one of
Hungary's most valuable medieval historic monuments. Its industries
include the famous Zsolnay porcelain works, wine making, brewing, leather
products, canning, and uranium and coal mining. The fine arts are of high
priority: an internationally known ballet company, symphony, opera, and
theater companies, many museums, and beautifully restored architecture.
Pecs is located on the
southern slopes of the Mecsek Hills, three hours by train from Budapest.
It enjoys a mild climate with over 200 days of sunshine per year.
Pecs is the fastest growing
city in Hungary, destined to be a city with many trade opportunities, and
already one of the most popular tourist destinations in Hungary.
Two Great Cities
With their beautiful parks,
gardens, museums, and churches, Seattle and Pecs are both counted among
their countries' most livable cities. Each is proud of its fine
universities, delicious food and friendly people. Both cities enjoy a
temperate climate, lying nearly on the same latitude and produce wine and
beer of excellent quality. |
