Pécs and Baranya
City of Pécs
Pécs is one of Hungary’s most dynamic regional centres, combining a strong knowledge base with a high quality of life. The city has been steadily repositioning itself as an attractive destination for investment, supported by coordinated economic development efforts and a well-established institutional background.
As a university city, Pécs benefits from a continuous supply of skilled workforce. The University of Pécs, with its large international student community, plays a key role in education, research and innovation, contributing directly to the city’s economic development and business environment.
Pécs offers a stable and supportive ecosystem for investors. The Pécs-Baranya Chamber of Commerce and Industry actively connect businesses with local partners, public institutions and international networks, facilitating company establishment, investment projects and long-term business cooperation. A wide range of local enterprises ensures access to services, suppliers and industrial capabilities.
The city is supported by improving infrastructure and regional connectivity, including road, rail and Danube logistics access, airport connections, strengthening its integration into national and international economic networks.
Beyond its economic strengths, Pécs provides a distinctive living environment. Often described as having a Mediterranean atmosphere, the city offers a vibrant cultural life, an open and international community, and a strong identity shaped by its history and diversity. As a former European Capital of Culture, Pécs combines its UNESCO World Heritage sites with a contemporary creative and cultural scene.
This unique combination of knowledge, business support, connectivity and quality of life makes Pécs an increasingly attractive location for investment, talent and international partnerships.
Baranya and Pécs have wide international relations, which main economical directions are EU, USA, Turkey and China.
History of Pécs
Pécs is the fifth largest city of Hungary, located on the slopes of the Mecsek mountains in the south-west of the country, close to its border with Croatia. It is the administrative and economical centre of Baranya county. Pécs is also the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pécs.
The city Sopianae was founded by Romans at the beginning of the 2nd century, in an area peopled by Celts and Pannoni tribes. By the 4th century it became the capital of Valeria province and a significant early Christian center. The early Christian necropolis is from this era which became an UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 2000.
Its episcopate was founded in 1009 by Steven I, and the first university in Hungary was founded in Pécs in 1367 by Louis I the Great. (The largest university still resides in Pécs with about 26,000 students). Pécs was formed into one of the cultural and arts center of the country by bishop Janus Pannonius, the great, Hungarian, humanist poet. Pécs has a rich heritage from the age of a 150 year long Ottoman occupation, like the mosque of Pasha Qasim the Victorious on Széchenyi square.
Pécs always was a multicultural city where many cultural layers are encrusted melting different values of the history of two thousand years. Hungarians, Croatians and Swabians still live in peace together in economic and cultural polarity. In 1998 Pécs was given the UNESCO prize Cities for peace for maintaining the cultures of the minorities, and also for its tolerant and helping attitude toward refugees of the Balkan Wars. In 2007 Pécs was third, in 2008 it was second Livable city (The LivCom Awards) in the category of cities between 75,000 and 200,000 inhabitants.
In 2010 Pécs was selected to be the European Capital of Culture sharing the title together with Essen and Istanbul. The city’s motto is: „The Borderless City”. After receiving the title major renewal started in the city. Renewed public places, streets, squares and neighbourhoods, new cultural centers, a concert hall, a new library and center and a cultural quarter were designed.
