TV Tower Pecs, Pecs (must see)

The Pecs TV Tower, rising 197 meters above the Misina peak of Mecsek (535 meters), is Hungary’s tallest building and a defining symbol of Pecs for the past 50 years. More than just a broadcasting structure, it has become a major tourist attraction, offering breathtaking panoramic views from its 75-meter observation deck and an inviting restaurant at 72 meters. Adding to its charm, visitors can explore a dinosaur exhibition, featuring life-sized models of the native Komlosaurus.

Before the current TV Tower, the 15-meter wooden Kiss Jozsef Lookout stood on the site from 1908 to 1967. Named after the Mecsek Association's secretary, it had a sentinel and a guardhouse. A plaque by Miklós Zsolnay from the old lookout is now inside the TV Tower. Nearby, a meteorological station and a 70-meter iron transmission tower broadcast MTV1 from 1958 until their removal in 1968 for the new tower.

The current reinforced concrete tower was designed by Istvan Vizvardy, Gusztav Sopkez, and Jozsef Thoma, and its construction, costing 100 million forints, spanned from 1968 to 1973. The foundation alone is 4 meters thick and 22 meters in diameter, supporting a staggering 19,000-ton structure.

The tower's layout consists of two rings: a 5-meter inner ring with an elevator to 135 meters and a 12-meter outer ring with a 459-step staircase for firefighters and visitors. Though officially opened on April 4, 1973, it was completed by December 10, 1972. Initially broadcasting MTV1, MTV2, and radio signals with 400 kW power, its height increased from 191 to 197 meters in 1995 with a new antenna.

More than a communications hub, the Pecs TV Tower has attracted tourists since its opening. Its 72-meter restaurant, once a café and confectionery shop, was a collaboration of over 40 companies, featuring furnishings from across Hungary and technical equipment from Sweden and Germany. The 80-meter observation deck offers a 360-degree panoramic view. In 1972, the tower hosted Hungary’s tallest illuminated Christmas tree, lighting up the Mecsek Mountains. With 200,000 visitors annually, it remains a landmark of Pecs’ modern and cultural identity.