Paks, Hungary

Welcome to Paks, a small town located in Tolna county, in the south of Hungary, on the right bank of the Danube River, 100 km south of Budapest. Despite its small size, Paks has a rich history and plenty of attractions to offer visitors.

History:

Paks has been inhabited since ancient times and has played a role in the Ottoman Empire and during Rákóczis War of Independence. In the final stages of the Second World War, Soviet troops occupied the town, followed by four decades of communist rule. Meanwhile, it was famous for its cannery, wine, and fish soup. The country’s only nuclear power plant was built in Paks in the 1980s, the final decade of Soviet rule within the country.

Description:

Paks has several mansions built in the center of the old town, such as those in Szent István Tér, the main square of the town. The Catholic three-isled, basilica-style Sacred Heart church was consecrated in 1901. There is a tablet in the wall of the baroque Szeniczey mansion to commemorate Ferenc Deák, the Sage of the Country. The Town Museum is housed in the former Cseh-Vigyázó mansion. The Calvinist and the Lutheran churches were built in 1775 and 1884 respectively. The Catholic Holy Spirit church, built according to the design of Imre Makovecz, is considered to be an outstanding work of 20th-century architecture. There is a hundred-year-old chestnut alley lining the walkway on the Danube River bank. The town hosts the Spring Festival at Whitsuntide and the International Festival of Blues, Jazz, Rock, and Gastronomy.

Sport:

Paksi FC is a Hungarian football club based in Paks. Atomerőmű SE is a Hungarian basketball club based in Paks.

Bronze Age hoard:

A Bronze Age gold hoard of jewelry was found between Paks and Dunaföldvár on the right bank of the Danube in the 19th century. The treasure is now in the collections of the British Museum.

Twin towns – sister cities:

Paks is twinned with:

– Kozloduy, Bulgaria
– Lingen, Germany
– Pernik, Bulgaria
– Svetlogorsk, Russia

See also:

Forró for another Bronze Age hoard from Hungary. Zsujta for a Bronze Age hoard from northern Hungary.

References:

– Official website in Hungarian, English, and Russian
– The Jewish community in Paks on JewishGen website.

Whether you’re interested in history, architecture, or sports, Paks has something for everyone. Come and discover this hidden gem for yourself!