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About PécsPécs -a two thousand year-old city at the beginning of the third millenniumPécs, the fifth largest city of Hungary, lies in the southern part of Transdanubia and is the seat of Baranya County. It is the largest city of the western region of the country, a gateway to Croatia, the Balkans and the North-Italian region. Mysterious Roman crypts, domed Turkish mosques and a slender minaret, fine Zsolnay porcelain, grand Csontváry paintings, decorative Vasarely patterns, almonds trees in full blossom early spring, pleasant restaurants and cafés, - this is all Pécs, a 2000 year-old city at the foot of the Mecsek hills with a Mediterranean climate and atmosphere. The vicinity of the Adriatic Sea, the zigzagging streets of the historic center, the teeming life in the early summer evening all evoke the feeling of a Mediterranean region.Pécs, called Sopianae in the Roman era, was a significant center of early Christianity.The “necropolis” consisting of 16 graves is a unique monument complex that was recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage in 2000. At the same time Pécs is the city of grapes and good wine. One of the first champagne companies was established here, and wine-making is still a living tradition in the area. The city is also renowned for its rich artistic life and multi-colored festivals. Several universities, research institutions, and significant scientific and professional achievements enhance the reputation of Pécs the world over. Lively students have also found a worthy home among the walls of the city.The settlement of German, Croatian and Serb communities has resulted in an interesting mixture of population in the course of the past few centuries. In 1998 the city was awarded the Peace Prize of UNESCO. In addition to being a cultural, educational and administrative center of the region and the most significant employer in Baranya County, Pécs is also an industrial base that is always ready to adopt modern technologies, functioning as a natural gravitational center in the region. With the chief consulate of the Republic of Croatia and honorary consulates of Austria, France, Great Britain, Germany and Italy, the city is also an important diplomatic center.Innovation and creativity - the city of knowledge The high level of education is extremely favorable for economic development, for 40% of the population over 18 years has at least secondary school education and 15% of the population over 25 years of age has a university degree. The number of people speaking foreign languages is double the national average, for 19% of the population of Pécs speaks a foreign language. For many centuries Pécs has been a city of students and the scientific and higher educational center of Transdanubia.In addition to the university research centers there are three independent research institutes in the city: the Regional Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, the Research Institute of Viticulture and the Experimental Institute of Dairy Farming. The city is strongly committed to developing its wide-ranging international relations and twin city agreements (Fellbach, Graz, Osijek, Cluj, Kütahya, Lahti, Seattle, Terracina, Tuscon, Tuzla, Lyon).The Cultural Capital of Europe 2010 Pécs has won the title of Cultural Capital of Europe for the year 2010. This title wasgiven to Pécs by the European Council in 2005.&#160;