Mecsek
This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2009) |
Mecsek | |
---|---|
Tolna counties, Hungary | |
Territory | 500 km2 |
Highest point | Zengő, 682 m (2238 ft) |
Terrain | Lower mountains |
Mecsek (Hungarian: [ˈmɛt͡ʃɛk]; Croatian: Meček; Serbian: Meček or Мечек; German: Metscheck) is a mountain range in southern Hungary. It is situated in the Baranya region, in the north of the city of Pécs.
Etymology
The Hungarian toponym "Mecsek" derives from the sobriquet version of the name Mihály (Michael). Originally applied only to the hills adjacent to Pécs, the name Mecsek was first mentioned in 16th century.[1]
Geography
The mountains cover an area of approximately 500 km2. The highest peak in the mountain range is
Highest peaks
Peak | Elevation (m) | Location |
---|---|---|
Zengő | 682 | Eastern Mecsek |
Tubes | 611 | Western Mecsek |
Hármas-hegy | 604 | Eastern Mecsek |
Jakab-hegy | 602 | Western Mecsek |
Dobogó | 594 | Eastern Mecsek |
Borzas-tető | 591 | Eastern Mecsek |
Szószék | 586 | Eastern Mecsek |
Kis-Tubes | 577 | Western Mecsek |
Somlyó | 572 | Eastern Mecsek |
Szamár-hegy | 564 | Eastern Mecsek |
Dögkút-tető | 556 | Eastern Mecsek |
Hárs-tető | 545 | Eastern Mecsek |
Csalán-hegy | 536 | Eastern Mecsek |
Misina | 535 | Western Mecsek |
Political and cultural history
Due to their relative small size and medium height, the hills of Mecsek were always politically and economically connected with the neighboring lowlands of
The first significant political centre of the region was formed on the top of Jakab-hegy during the Iron Age which was later captured and developed into an oppidum by the Celts in the 2nd century BC.[3] After the Roman conquest of Pannonia the settlement's population, like in the similar cases of Bibracte or Entremont was probably forced to move to the southern slopes of the Mecsek, where Sopianae, the predecessor of Pécs emerged.
Throughout the Hungarian Middle Ages the valleys of the Mecsek became more densely populated, providing raw materials for the thriving episcopal city of Pécs. The castles of Szászvár, Márévár and Kantavár were built in the era as residencies of nobles or the Church. The Order of Saint Paul the First Hermit partially stemmed from the hermit communities of the Mecsek, whom the Bishop of Pécs founded a monastery at Jakab-hegy in 1225.[4] The significant Pécsvárad Abbey also controlled substantial areas in the region.
Due to the
Significant amounts of black coal were discovered in the 19th century, the strategic resource greatly advanced the industrialization of the region. Mines were opened in
A huge part of the German-speaking population of the area was expelled from Hungary after World War II, although many German communities lingered. The socialist Hungary further developed the coal mines of Pécs and Komló. Uranium was also discovered and mined near Kővágószőlős from the 1950s. The Mecsek Hills were the scene of pitched battles during the Hungarian Revolution in November 1956 between Hungarian units dubbed "the Mecsek Invisibles" and the invading Soviet forces.
After the fall of communism in Hungary, the economically unsustainable mines were closed. The Mecsek now serves mostly as a recreational area with moderate forestry activities.[6]
Parts
Mecsek is divided to two parts:
Settlements
Gallery
-
Around Jakab-hegy
-
Mecseknádasd - Castle from above
-
Forest near Óbánya
-
Hills at Mecseknádasd
See also
- Komlosaurus carbonis
- Geography of Hungary
References
- ^ "Nincs rejtély a Mecsek nevének eredetében".
- ^ Pierre Jolivet, Jorge Santiago-Blay, Michael Schmitt, Research of chrysomelidae, BRILL, 2009 p. 236 [1]
- ^ Péter Gyenizse; Péter Vass (1998). "A természeti környezet szerepe a Nyugat-Mecsek településeinek kialakulásában és fejlödésében". Földrajzi értesitö. 47 (2): 131–148.
- ^ Buzás Gergely: A Jakab-hegyi pálos kolostor, Várak, Kastélyok, Templomok, III/4. 2007. augusztus, 8-11.
- ^ Zsolt Gallina, Magyarszék régmúltja, 2001, p. 56
- ^ Nyilvanos Vedes foldrajz.ttk.pte.hu [dead link]
External links
46°06′N 18°05′E / 46.100°N 18.083°E