Discover Pécs

Architecture and history in Pécs

The Zsolnay Cultural Quarter is located on the restored grounds of the former ceramics factory owned by the Zsolnay family and preserves the Zsolnay heritage. Its parks and promenades are adorned with 15 protected historic buildings and 88 public Zsolnay sculptures. The combination of the former factory site, buildings and outdoor art gives a visit a distinctive focus: you can explore both the history of the family and the site, and the many sculptures.

Pécs Cathedral tells another chapter of the city’s history. Its foundations were laid in the 11th century; its present appearance took shape in the late 19th century to a design by Frigyes Schmidt (Friedrich von Schmidt). The Dome Lapidary in Pécs showcases significant sculptural works from these periods through stone carvings from the cathedral. This allows you to complement your exploration of the building with a look at its associated stone carvings. The Gothic Barbakan, in turn, is a gate tower that served defensive purposes as part of the Episcopal Castle.

Art to suit a range of interests

If you are interested in painting, you can view paintings by Tivadar Csontváry Kosztka at the Csontváry Museum. The Vasarely Museum features a permanent exhibition by the Op Art artist Győző Vasarely. The two museums therefore offer different artistic points of interest: paintings by a single artist at one, and a permanent exhibition devoted to Op Art at the other. Families can consider which art topics they would like to explore together, without making their stay revolve around just one museum.

City life, theatre and discoveries

Széchenyi Square is a lively hub in the city centre. Its attractions include the Mosque of Pasha Qasim, the Zsolnay Fountain and the bronze equestrian statue of János Hunyadi. Visitors interested in urban spaces and individual buildings will find several distinctive sights in one square. The Croatian Theatre of Pécs offers a different cultural perspective: it performs in Croatian, serves the cultural needs of Hungary’s Croatian minority and welcomes everyone who is interested. Hungarian plays and related artistic performances are also part of the theatre’s programme.

The Cella Septichora Visitor Centre contains six two-storey tombs: numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 19 and 20. There are also two larger, single-room buildings: the Cella Septichora and Tomb No. 5. The precise distinctions between the structures make this visit especially interesting for travellers who want to learn more about the individual tombs. For a different outing to enjoy together, consider the Pécs Zoo and Aquarium-Terrarium: it covers four hectares and is home to 1,500 specimens from 300 species. These figures give you a concrete idea of the size and variety of the animals kept there, without limiting a visit to any particular age group.

Champagne culture and choosing your accommodation

At the five-storey Littke Palace Pezsgőpince, visitors can learn about traditional champagne production and taste champagne. This insight into production and flavour complements the city’s art and architecture. When choosing your holiday apartment, consider which experiences matter most for your trip: museums, historic buildings, theatre, wildlife or champagne culture each reflect different interests. This way, you can choose accommodation to suit the kind of trip you want, rather than a general idea of what a stay in Pécs should offer.

If you would like to discover more places, you can also find Áta, Cserkút, Kökény, Abaliget, Regenye, Egerág, Pellérd and Pogány here.

For the broader travel overview: Pécs.