Pecs may be little known outside its region, but Hungary's fifth-largest city is due to be crowned one of Europe's cultural capitals in 2010, a title shared with the cities of Istanbul in Turkey and Essen in Germany.

To prepare for the honour, the city of 200,000 has undertaken a beautification campaign, though its urban renovation may still be under way when the new year sets in.

The city's motto will be:

"The Borderless City".

A good example of the city's history and interesting past can be seen in the main square, where the Gazi Kasim Mosque still stands, and, although consecrated as a church following the retreat of the Ottoman Turks centuries ago, the crescent moon and cross of Islam are still visible on the cupola.

Indeed, Pécs is the richest town in Hungary in terms of Turkish architecture, with the ruins of Memi Pasa's Baths and the mausoleum of miracle worker Idris Baba, just two other notable remains.