One of the places I most wanted to visit in Hungary was the town of Pecs (pronounced Pesh) which is a three hour train ride south of Budapest near the Croatian border. This town is important as it was both a Roman and Turkish city and has Unesco protection today due to the heritage that survives

I keep waking up at 3am and had the choice of the 7.45 or 9.45 train to Pecs. The train is every two hours and will take three hours so I decided to take the 7.45 since I was up so early instead of the 9.45 I was planning.

At the station I looked for some food and got a giant multi ringed baked item covered in cheese and pizza sauce. It was so delicious for only 200Ft ($1) but needed to be held with both hands and collapsed from its weight and fell on the floor. I threw it in the trash, then an old lady came by, took it out, wrapped it in plastic, and walked away

Train ticket was 4400Ft ($22) each way and lasted three hours. I slept part way. On arrival at Pecs was a large tourist map but no tourist office to hand out paper maps

I passed by the Turkish baths and made my way to the Hassan Jokovali Mosque. Entrance was 700Ft ($3.50) even though this is still a practicing Mosque. The guy was explaining in French and asked if I was a student (do I look that young?) I wanted to say I don't have ID but my instinct was to say Korean for dont have (obsoyo)

There is a small mirrored room explaining the five pillars of Islam before going into the actual Mosque. The Mosque had typical Turkish features

Leaving the Mosque I followed the tourist markers to the main square where the other larger Mosque is. This Mosque has been converted to a church but still retains much of its Islamic character. Entrance was 400Ft ($2).

Although its a church its still referred to as the mosque, similar to converted churches in southern Spain. It is the focal point of a large town square with fountains and cafes

As in Spain, although a cross and Chrstian symbols have been added none of the original Islamic design was destroyed. If you look at where the Mihrab was for the original Mosque at the back entrance, the Church is actually oriented backwards inside the Mosque

A short walk to the left is the remains of the Roman town and early Christian graves. Entrance ticket was 1700Ft ($8) to all sites. There was a student/teacher rate of 900Ft. Again she asked if I was a student and I tried saying I was an english teacher to get the teacher rate

The graves are interesting for the artwork painted inside the trombs. The rest of the site is just excavated brickwork so not much to see.

Just behind is the Cathedral of Pecs. Some of the excavation may actually be underneath it. Entrance here was 800 Ft ($4). I was hoping they would let me in and not make a fuss like they were in Eger but there were no problem.

It was like stepping into a giant art gallery when you entered with all the giant wall murals in the vast chamber. There was a lower level crypt and side room used as a museum. It was certainly worth coming inside.

By now it was 1.15 exactly, the time of the train to Budapest. The next one was 3.15. I was hoping there may be a local train I could take and change but when I got to the station there was only the 3.15 train so I had to wait an hour

Pecs was certainly worth a visit and day trip but I was exhausted from the 3 hour ride going and 4 hour return waiting an hour for the train ride back.