Ter and Square

I  have written about Szechenyi Ter, Kossuth Ter, Dom Ter and St. Istvan Ter  in Pecs and also have seen the ryneks in Poland. But I never put it together until going to an exhibit here about European Squares. This exhibit is one of the many activities associated with Pecs being a Capital of Culture. It points out that the square is a unique European feature and that if it seen elsewhere, it is copied from the European model -- only Wales in the UK had squares in the photo exhibit.

The square is a point for celebration, demonstration, sorrow -- all human events -- or even just for sitting around on a summer evening. We saw the Pecs Women's basketball team come home to Szechenyi Ter, I've shown pictures of dancing on the Ter, and many other activities.

Demonstration from Poland around the time of Poland's entry into the EU.

Pictures of two of Poland's squares -- Krakow and Zamosc.

And here is one coming together in Pecs. This is Uranvaros in the southern area of Pecs. The exhibit explains this neighborhood grew rapidly in the late 20th century, but public infrastruture such as this was not completed. The funding associated with the Capital of Culture allowed this development.

And I finally understood that all the construction on Szechenyi Ter this year has the goal of returning it to being an area for people rather than motor vehicles.

When I think about it, we don't have squares in our cities.Yes, sometimes there is a courthouse square, but the building itself fills most of the square and it is not designed for a crowd of people to gather and share in an event.

And a final note -- summer has truly arrived in Pecs. The promised hot weather is here. I'm really glad I did the most strenous sight-seeing trips when the weather was cooler.

I've found a new drink. This is an iced coffee that is phenomenal -- or more simply said in Hungarian -- finom!