Medieval University

Behind the Cathedral, at the foot of the fortress wall once stood the Medieval University.

The foundation decree of Hungary’s first university was issued on the instruction of Pope Orban V on 1st September, 1367, Vitero. It was unusual that the university was not brought to life at the royal capital. The papal bull states thath Pécs is highly apt for the cultivation of science, which might have been the result of the city’s capitular school and the four monastries of the Mendicate order, who turned a great deal of energy to education. Another reason could be that the Diocese of Pécs was the most inhabited part of the Hungarian Kingdom. The university was founded by King Louis the Great and its rector was Bishop William, who was one of the king’s diplomats. The papal bull stated the following about the planned faculties of the university: „A studium generale should be established in Pécs, where people should be taught about canon law and civil rights forever.” The most celebrated of its professors was Galvano di Bologna, who had been invited by the Bishop and who was a doctor of “both laws”. He moved here from Bologna, which was well known for its law education. The wall behind the medieval University gives a bizarre sight, seemingly almost falling upon visitors. It was ruined by a huge explosion in January 1664, when Miklós Zrínyi attempted to take back the fortress from the Turkish. The explosion was so strong that it toppled the two-meter-wide wall. To the wwest of the university were found the ruins of the Chapel of Aranyos Mária, which was established by Bishop Michael in 1335, and which contains the canopied tomb of Bishop William.