Take some time to admire the stunning Pécs Cathedral, also known as the Basilica of St. Peter or the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul. Notice the varying architectural styles that characterize the cathedral’s interior and exterior. Browse the fine works of art housed in its chapels and save time for a visit to the cathedral’s associated museum.
The original cathedral was built in the 11th century, during the reign of Peter Orseolo, the second king of Hungary. The church was later converted into a mosque by Turkish invaders in the 16th century, then transformed back into a church when Hungarians regained control of the city in 1686. View the cathedral’s neo-Romanesque façade, which was designed in the late 19th century by architect Friedrich von Schmidt.
In contrast to the exterior, the interior of the cathedral mainly features Gothic architecture. Admire the walls and ceiling, which are decorated with paintings depicting Hungarian saints and various stories from the Bible.
Discover its four chapels which, along with the crypt, form the oldest part of the building. Visit the Chapel of Mary on the northwest side of the cathedral as well as the Chapel of the Sacred Heart opposite it to see works by 19th-century painters Bertalan Székely and Károly Lotz. See more works by Székely as well as ornate pews at the Mór Chapel in the southeast corner of the cathedral. Discover the 16th-century red marble tabernacle housed in the Corpus Christi Chapel on the cathedral’s southwest side.
Don’t miss the cathedral museum, located adjacent to the cathedral, which is home to one of the finest collections of Romanesque sculptures in Central Europe. Admire materials from the altar of the Holy Cross, as well as fragments from some of the cathedral’s original wall paintings.
The Pécs Cathedral is located just outside the city center in Szent István Square. The cathedral is open daily, with limited opening hours on Sundays. There are admission fees for both the cathedral and the museum.
Enjoy your visit to this fine architectural landmark.
