World War One Sites - The NETWORLD Database

World War One Memorial – Pécs Public Cemetery, Hungary

A six-pillared exedra surrounds a central statue depicting Jesus Christ, who is supporting a dying soldier, their glances meet. This is one of the world war memorial archetypes. The sculpture by Mihály Kapás Nagy is made of limestone. The inscription across the top of the exedra reads: 1914 For the heroes of the world war laying here at rest – public of Pécs royal free city 1918 (1914 A világháború itt pihenő hőseinek – Pécs szab. kir.város közönsége 1918).

Hungary, Dél-Dunántúl

Type of WWI-heritage

  • War monument

Dimensions

About 6 m high.

State of repair/preservation

It had been renovated in 2013 by Gyula Illa Sr.and Gyula Illa Jr.

Historical WWI Context

The WWI military cemetery of Pécs was founded in 1928 on the grounds of the public cemetary. The present memorial sculpted by Mihály Kapás Nagy, a resident sculptor of the Zsolnay factory, was erected in the place of a previous memorial column.

Already in the first year of the war, the Hungarian National Association of Applied Arts and the National Commission for the Commemoration of Heroic Memorials (HEMOB) announced a call for war memorials. In 1917 Article VIII. mandated all villages and towns to inaugurate artistic statues and memorial plaques. Template albums were issued, and the objective was for the memorials to not concentrate on mourning the dead, but instead inspire and stir heroic momentum.

State of legal protection

Unknown.

Owner

It is public property.

Kind of cultural use of WWI

No information available.

Opening

The Baka múzeum in Szekszárd is open Saturdays 9.00-13.00
Other visiting opportunities may be arranged for groups or non-locals by contacting György Borbandi (tel.: +36302260868, e-mail: bbander@freemail.hu) or Zoltán Tálosi (tel.: +36304571022, e-mail: repulos@hotmail.com)

Entrance Fee

Entry to the Baka múzeum in Szekszárd is free of charge.

Information regarding cities, villages, other touristic attractions (non-WWI) nearby

The city of Pécs is home to countless tourist attractions. It has been inhabited since the Roman ages, when it was called Sopianae. One of the main tourist attractions is the Early Christian Cemetery which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000. This heritage site can be accessed through the Cella Septichora Visitor’s Centre. Pécs continued to be a religious seat, the diocese being founded in 1064. Medieval relics can be found in the Dóm Museum. The present neo-romanesque cathedral was built at the end of the 19th century. During the 16th century Pécs was occupied by the Turkish, and the modern cityscape has preserved some of its built heritage. The main attraction is the mosque of pasha Gazi Kasim, which is found on the main square (Széchenyi tér) of the city. Another important element of Pécs’ heritage is Zsolnay porcelain, their legacy being carried on and rejuvenated by the founding of the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter, which has become a new cultural scene in the city. Further tourist information about Pécs can be found at: http://www.iranypecs.hu/en/ and http://www.zsolnaynegyed.hu/

Accomodation

Various providers in broad range of categories can be found at:
www.booking.com
Search: Pécs, (Baranya, Hungary)

Public Transport

Pécs can be accessed by train and coach also. InterCity trains leave from Budapest, Keleti pályaudvar (Eastern railway station) every two hours. The trip is 3 hours long. Timetables can be found at https://www.mavcsoport.hu/en. Coaches leave from Népliget Bus Terminal (https://www.volanbusz.hu/en/travel-information/our-stations/budapest#nepliget), the trip is about 4 hours long. Coach timetables can be found at www.menetrendek.hu and clicking on “csak Volán járatok”.
To reach the Pécs public cemetery: local Pécs city bus lines 6,7, and 41 can be taken to the stop “Temető északi kapu”. Timetables are available at: http://mobilitas.biokom.hu/en/home

Further information sources

Other heritage sites nearby

Museums Private Collections

There is a museum in Szekszárd (60 km north of Pécs in Tolna county) dedicated to the infantryman of Tolna county who served in the 1st and 2nd World Wars. It is the private collection of György Borbandi and Zoltán Tálosi.

Location

Back to list