Pécs - The Borderless City

The city of lively public spaces

It is a medium-sized city that can present a model of city life which is very different from that of both a metropolis and a small town. The individual quarters of the city exhibit a very different life style and atmosphere, and they all contribute to the general image of Pécs. When hearing the name: Pécs, everyone pictures the historic city centre, the Turkish monuments, the four-towered cathedral and the early Christian burial chambers that are included in the World Heritage List.

The public spaces and streets that provide a worthy background and a scenic venue for various events play an important role in the life of our city. The city centre abounds in these spaces with a special historic atmosphere, hidden courtyards where numerous artistic events are held throughout the year. These are the venues, among others, for the off-programme events of the Pécs National Theatre Festival, when the entire city centre turns into a single whirlwind of crowds.

There are suburban spaces in addition to the several thousand year-old city centre that are filled with life by the people living there.

Mention must also be made of the important cultural legacy of the Central-Eastern European communist regime, the mementos of which abound in the public spaces of Uránváros. The city quarter received its name from the uranium mines that used to operate during communism in the suburbs of Pécs. Several public works of art commemorate this era which had a great impact on the economic life of the city. The communist regime is a part of our past which has not yet been able to turn into history. It is deeply engraved in our attitudes, we live in its buildings, its objects surround us all, and for new generations they remain lively mementos, horrible, wonderful and ridiculous memories of the immediate past. This is a cultural theme that links the people living here with many of our European fellow citizens even though it separates us from others.

One of the key objectives of the European Capital of Culture programme is to renew these city quarters and make their public spaces more liveable and humane.