Pécs << paych >> (pop. 139,330) is a city in southwest Hungary. It lies in the foothills of the Mecsek Mountains about 125 miles (200 kilometers) south of Budapest, the Hungarian capital. Pécs is an attractive modern city with a rich historical and multicultural heritage.
Pécs sits on the site of an ancient Roman settlement called Sopianae. Founded around A.D. 200, Sopianae became a provincial capital, as well as an important center of early Christianity. The richly decorated tombs and memorial chapels of the city’s necropolis (cemetery) date from the A.D. 300’s. The well-preserved necropolis was named a World Heritage Site in 2000. Such sites are places of unique cultural or natural importance as designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Hungary’s first university was founded at Pécs in 1367. Other landmarks include a cathedral built in the 1000’s and several structures built by the Ottomans, who occupied the city during the 1500’s and 1600’s. Pécs has a number of historical monuments, as well as several galleries, museums, and theaters. Tourism and agriculture, along with coal and uranium deposits from the Mecsek Mountains, fuel the city’s economy. The Pécs area is known for its porcelain, vineyards, and almond and fig trees.
