Pecs
From Imakoopedia
Pécs (PEH-ch) is a town in the south of Hungary.
| Table of contents |
Understand
Founded as Sophianae 2000 years ago by the Romans and known as Fünfkirchen by the Germans, today's Pécs is a pleasant little university town that has largely escaped the ravages of both Communist-era architecture and modern-day mass tourism.
Get in
By train
There are frequent trains to Pécs from Budapest's Déli station. The trip can be as fast as 2:40 on an express, but several hours longer by local clunker.
Get around
The core of Pécs is small enough to cover on foot.
See
- Mosque Church. Széchenyi tér. Formerly the Pasha Gazi Kassim Mosque, this Ottoman-era mosque was converted into a Catholic church by the simple expedient of hanging a crucified Jesus above the mihrab (the prayer niche pointing to Mecca). Even the original Arabic inscriptions inside the niche remain intact.
Do
Buy
Pécs' most famous local product is Zsolnay porcelain, covered with a distinctive green-gold glaze known as eosin.
Eat
- Király utca is packed with restaurants and cafes, many with attractive outdoor terraces in summer. Check the prices in the menu before you choose your place though, these are the most expensive restaurants in town.
Drink
Even in a country of oenophiles, Pécs is known for its wines.
- Pannonia Champagne Factory (Pannonia pezsgőgyár). Hungary's first champagne factory, founded in 1859 by Lorinc Littke and still producing sparkling wine under the Pannonia label. The facility is a tourist attraction, with a 5-story underground labyrinth of caves and cellars.
Sleep
Private rooms and apartments are widely available. Enquire at the tourist office.
Get out
External links
- Pécs (http://www.pecs.hu/english/index.php) (official homepage)
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