From folk art to the stars, from eosin to VR: this is the coolest “mini town in the country“

It is typically a matter of pride to anyone who is “tüke pécsi” (third-generation citizens of Pécs) to talk about the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter. This special “mini town” has been a Hungarikum since 2014, an exemplary base of culture and art. As it is well known, the Zsolnay family lived and worked here, who also engraved the name of Pécs in history books with the production of world-class ceramics. In the Quarter you can walk in a beautifully-renovated area of five hectares, which not only pays homage to the Zsolnay heritage, but there are attractions almost in every tiny square metre of the place. Cafés, permanent and temporary exhibitions, handicraft shops, monumental buildings, Zsolnay statues, astronomy, scientific experiments, theatres, concerts, restaurants - we can hardly internalize everything that this magical place has to offer.    

Recalling the past and paying homage to contemporary art coexist peacefully in the Quarter. The permanent exhibitions preserve the rich heritage of the Zsolnay family, such as the Gyugyi collection, which presents a unique collection of nearly 700 ceramic objects, or the Pink Exhibition, which showcases the earliest Zsolnay products. These two exhibitions are complemented by the Family and Factory History Exhibition, which can give us a complete picture of Zsolnay's work. On the hill close to the Quarter, the Zsolnay Mausoleum rises in its original splendour, where 42 lions keep the secret of the revealing eosin - the building is also the resting place of the Zsolnay family. Exhibitions take place from time to time, in the Furnace Gallery in the E78 building, as well as in the m21 Gallery: it’s safe to say that contemporary art lovers will definitely not be disappointed here! It is also worth browsing for undiscovered gems in the events of the E78 concert hall, where light music and theatre programs can be found. 

It is no exaggeration to say that the Zsolnay Quarter is a paradise for children. The outdoor play empires are by themselves incredibly cool: we can find even three sophisticated playgrounds in the “mini town”. One in the Zsolnay Kisasszonyok Square, one on the way to the Bóbita Puppet Theatre and one on the top of the m21 Gallery. Everything here catches your eye, but in the Quarter, it would be a sin to stick to outdoor games! Indoor there is one of the most spectacular and educational children's programs in the city, the Magic Clock. During the lessons, little scientists can perform spectacular physical experiments, such as experimenting with sounds, collisions, and liquid nitrogen. We can meet even more scientific experiments in the Laboratory, in the “palace of miracles” in Pécs. More than 30 experimental games await prospective physicists here, but if we thirst for virtual reality, the VR Universe is waiting for exciting adventures.  The Zsolnay Quarter is also outstanding in the field of astronomy: the country's first optical planetarium entices the little ones to fabulous space trips and unforgettable scientific adventures. Well, it’s no shame if we feel exhausted even as an adult, the planetarium of the Quarter is truly unique. The first digital projector in Europe was introduced here, and with its resolution and image quality it is still a real specialty. We might feel, quite rightly, that one day is not enough to walk everywhere and really get to know this place. Wandering around the Street of Craft Shops or sitting on the terrace of the Zsolnay Restaurant and Café, we can think about our next stop. And if we wanted to see a lot in one day, don't worry, the Zsolnay Quarter will be here next time and awaiting us with more and more surprises.