Klimo Library and University Historical Exibition

Klimo Library

The legal predecessor of the University Library of Pécs was founded and made open to the public in 1774 by the bishop György Klimo (1710-1777). 

The basic works of nearly all disciplines until the 18th century can be found in the collection: works both of catholic and protestant theology, history and its auxiliary sciences (especially rich is the numismatic literature obtained for the maintenance of the medal cabinet), works of the natural sciences and medicine, mathematics, linguistics, the works of outstanding representatives of literature form previous centuries and those of banned contemporary authors who preached ideas of the Enlightenment. 

When the Elisabeth University of Bratislava, compelled to flee, moved in 1923 to Pécs. Gyula Zichy, taking also the intention of his predecessor into consideration, gave the building of the Episcopal Library with its 33000 volumes for eternal use to the unviersity, together with the 7000 volume private collection of the Chapter of the Cathedral.

The library preserves 8 codices, 25 incunabula from the 15th century, 250 antiquas from the 16th century and more than 200 old Hungarian prints made before 1711. Parts of these are presented in glass-cabinets in the rooms on exhibitions organised from time to time. To the Episcopal Collection belongs also a globe and a celestial globe which were made in Amsterdam in 1707.

The Klimo Library can be viewed during opening hours as part of guided tours in Hungarian, English and German. Information about opening hours and tour dates can be found on this page. 

University Historical Exibition

In 2023, the University of Pécs celebrated the 100th anniversary of the relocation of Erzsébet University to Pécs. As part of the centenary programseries, the permanent exhibition of university history in Szepesy Street has been renewed.

The exhibition presents the history of the university and its predecessor institutions, from the medieval university founded in 1367 to the 21st century.

The new exhibition describes the history of the university faculties, the work of the professors who teach here, student life, and scientific work by discipline. The university's clinics and the healing activities taking place here also form a separate unit, which is colored by medical equipment, photographs, and the memories of the patients. 

Notable items on display include Antal Ádám's constitutional judge's chain, Antal Ádám's constitutional judge's chain, János Szentágothai's microscope, Gyula Prinz's personal items, an artwork by Ilona Keserü, a Commodore computer, and paintings of former university rectors.

For further information about our current exhibition, please click here.