Hungary, Pecs

Pécs is the fifth largest city of Hungary, located in the south-west of the country. It is the administrative and economical centre of Baranya county.

Pécs has been selected to be the European Capital of Culture in 2010 sharing the title together with Essen and Istanbul. The city's motto will be: "The Borderless City".

History

The area has been inhabited since ancient times, with the oldest archaeological findings being 6000 years old. Before the Roman era the place was inhabited by Celts. When Western Hungary was a province of the Roman Empire (named Pannonia), the Romans founded several wine-producing colonies under the collective name of Sopianae where Pécs now stands, in the early 2nd century.

After the Hungarians conquered the area of modern-day Hungary in the (late 9th–early 10th century) and founded the comitatus Baranya, the capital of the comitatus was not Pécs but a nearby castle, Baranyavár ("Baranya Castle".) Pécs, however, became an important religious centre and episcopal seat.

In 1529 the Ottomans captured Pécs again, and went on a campaign against Vienna. The Ottomans made Pécs to accept King John (who was allied with them) as their ruler. John died in 1540.

A more peaceful era started after 1710. Industry, trade and viticulture prospered, manufactures were founded, a new city hall was built. The feudal lord of the city was the Bishop of Pécs, but the city wanted to free itself from episcopal control.

Economy

Located in the midst of an agricultural area, Pécs is the natural hub of local products. Until some years ago, it had a coal mine and even a Uranium mine. Several factories exist, but since the fall of the Iron Curtain those have mostly not managed the transition. It does have a quite famous porcelain factory.

Education

The University of Pécs was founded by Louis I of Hungary in 1367. It is the oldest university in Hungary, and is among the first European universities. It is divided into two universities, one for Medicine and Orthodontics and one larger one for other studies — this being the JPTE (Janus Panonius Tudományegyetem).

Transport

There are several daily trains connecting Pécs to the capital Budapest as well as a daily direct train to Vienna and direct train to Osijek and Sarajevo.

A new highway is currently under construction, connecting Pécs and Budapest that will significantly reduce the driving time between the two cities taking about 3 1/2 hours now.

A new airport opened in Pécs (Pécs-Pogány Airport) in March of 2006.