Office of Intergovernmental Relations
600 Fourth Avenue, 5th Floor
P.O. Box 94746
Seattle, WA   98124-4746
(206) 684-8055

Seattle International Sister City:
Pécs, Hungary

(Sister City established in 1991)

Web Site: www.pecs.hu

Population: 160,000 +
Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant
Language: Hungarian
Industry: Agriculture, Machinery, Engineering, Education, Leather Products, Ceramics, Textiles, Wood & Wood Products (Furniture), Paper & Paper Products, Rubber & Plastics, Metallic & Non-Metallic Mineral Products, Electrical & Optical Equipment
Exports: Agricultural Products, Processed Food & Beverage Products
(Wine), Furniture & Wood Products, Machinery
Climate: Mediterranean

PÉCS has a 2,000-year-old history beginning with its 1st century AD Roman predecessor, Sopianae. It has been ruled by Hungarian kings and Hapsburg monarchs. It has known revolution, war, and now freedom and democracy. The remains of this colorful past are present in the carefully restored architecture, which has made Pécs a fascinating and beautiful city. One of Hungary's most treasured architectural monuments is the Pécs Romanesque cathedral, initially founded in the 11th century by King Stephen I.

Pécs Flag

Pécs, located 105 miles south of Budapest, three hours by train, is the administrative center of Baranya County, the southernmost county in Hungary. Its university (PTE - Pécsi Tudományegyetem / University of Pécs), founded in 1367, is the fifth oldest in Europe. PTE is currently one of the largest educational institutions in Hungary, with approximately 30,000 students and 6,000 staff. The Faculty of Business and Economics, established in 1975, is in the forefront of economic development in Pécs and Baranya County.

Previously, mining (coal, uranium) was one of the primary industries in Baranya County, and Pécs was considered somewhat of a mining town. Today, the mines are being shut down, and the environmental rehabilitation of the countryside has begun. Currently, industries in Pécs include: the famous Zsolnay porcelain works, wine and beer production, leather and leather products, agricultural products, wood products, energy production and electronics assembly.

Pécs Seal

Fine arts are a high priority in Pécs, which has an internationally known ballet, symphony, opera, theatre companies and museums. The Zsolnay Museum provides a glimpse of the artisans' creations which contributed to the Zsolnay Company's fame. The Csontváry Museum contains the works of this little known (outside of Hungary) painter, some of which conjure allusions to El Greco or Chagall. While the Vasarely Museum's collection will be familiar to pop- and op-art enthusiasts.

Pécs Logo

Seattle and Pécs have much in common: beautiful parks, gardens, museums, churches, fine universities, a thriving artistic community and more. More information about the Seattle-Pécs Sister City Association (SPSCA) can be found at: www.geocities.com/seattlepecs.

Related Links:

City of Pecs Web Site (Hungarian)

City of Pecs Web Site (English)

Sister City Association Contact Info:
Maria Kramar, President
2 Brick Road
Ellensburg, WA 98926
(509) 925-3030
kramarz@charter.net

Content contact: Kristine Kertson

Page last updated: September 21, 2005