Pécs Cathedral (Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral)

About

Quick facts: Its walls have witnessed over a thousand years of history, from its consecration in 1039 to the reconstructions after the Ottoman invasions. Inside it holds Hungary's oldest crypt, with eleventh-century columns and capitals that few European buildings still preserve.

Highlights: In the crypt, four original stone pillars from the year 1000 support the weight of ten centuries on their capitals carved with geometric figures. The acoustics are overwhelming: when the organist rehearses at midday, the notes of the organ travel through the nave as if the building itself were singing.

Insider tips

• Evita las visitas guiadas en grupo de mediodía; los viernes a primera hora casi no hay gente.
• Lleva una linterna pequeña para apreciar los relieves de la cripta, donde la iluminación es tenue.
• Si tocan las campanas a las doce en punto, quédate quieto bajo el pórtico oeste: el eco rebota en las cuatro torres.
• La entrada combinada con el tesoro del cabildo y el museo de historia eclesiástica cuesta solo 1000 HUF extra y vale la pena.

More attractions in Pécs

Zsolnay Cultural Quarter

Széchenyi Square

Csontváry Museum

Pécs National Theatre