Széchenyi square (Pécs)

Széchenyi square is the main square in the historical centre of Pécs, Hungary. In the Middle Ages it served as the market place of the town with the city hall and the parish church. Before the square was named Széchenyi in 1864 it had had several other names like Fórum, Városi piacz (City piazza), Főtér (Main square). The square is one of the central squares of Pécs, full of monuments, mounting gradually northward. Twelve streets fall into the square spoke-wise. Its main attractions are the Mosque of Pasha Qasim, the City Hall, the County Hall, the Nádor hotel, the Zsolnay well, the Fatebenefratelli Church, the Trinity statue and the brass statue of János Hunyadi on horse back. The surface of the square was rebuilt within the scope of the project Pécs2010 European Cultural Capital. Within the annual Pécs days festival, the festival of wine and grape is held on the square. It is celebrated fairs and vintage carnivals wine tasting of the famous wine regions of Pécs and Villány. The Christmas tree of the town is set on Széchenyi square.

The square is located in the heart of the old town of Pécs, on the southern side of the Mecsek mountain. Twelve streets run into the square, starting from the south clockwise: Irgalmasok street, Jókai square, Ferencesek street, Ciszterci alley, Janus Pannonius street, Szepessy Ignác street, Hunyadi János street, Megye street, Mária street, Király street, Perczel Miklós street and Munkácsy Mihály street.

The central building of Széchenyi square is the Mosque of pasha Qasim the Victorious, one of the symbols of Pécs.

In the Middle Ages, the Gothic Saint Bertalan parish church stood in the middle of the city centre. After the city was taken over by the Turks the mosque of pasha Qasim was built from the rocks of Saint Bertalan. There existed a minaret next to the mosque the top of which was brought down in 1753. Its lower part was also demolished in 1766 and only its basement remained intact. In the inner wall, by the current main entrance, there is a mihrab that indicates the qibla; that is, the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca. The building took its current form during the reconstruction in 1939. Saint Bertalan bell is next to the mosque.

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Wikipedia