St Mary Parish Church

The most important building at the northern side of main Square of Pécs, Széchenyi Square, has always been known as Mosque of Pasha Gazi Kaseem. Originally, there was a gothic church of St. Bartholomew  from  mid-13^th century, which was demolished by Ottomans. The church stones were used to build the new mosque. Pasha Gazi Kaseem ordered this after occupying Pécs in 1543. The time of the mosque ended with the liberation day of Pécs, 14^th of October, 1686.

Today, since 1868, the enormous building in shape of a mosque is again Catholic church, were Catholic religious services take place. Inside, nearly everything was kept as before: Ottoman windows, the vault, the mihrab, orientation towards Mecca. The former minaret was hit by lightning (18^th century) and vanished. Today, a new modern bell tower aside the church has the new function. The bronze statue standing in front it shows St Bartholomew. See the bell toll and the movement of the composition each day at 7.00, 12.00, 17.50 and 19.00!

Unique are the Turkish half moon and the Catholic cross on top of the cupola. Extended in 1933, the church has now also a triumphal arch and artistic frescos depicted by painter Ernő Gebauer. The organ is from 1943.

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