Barbakan in Pécs, Medieval fortification structure in Pécs, Hungary

The Barbakan in Pécs is a circular stone defensive tower that stands at the northern edge of the old town, connected to what remains of the medieval city walls. Its thick rounded walls are pierced by narrow arrow loops, and a walkway once ran along the top to allow defenders to move around the full circle.

The tower was built in the 15th century when Ottoman advances into the region pushed cities to strengthen their defenses. Pécs later came under Ottoman rule, and the Barbakan survived that period even as it lost its military purpose.

The name comes from the Arabic word for a gate tower built beyond the main wall. The Barbakan garden beside it ends with a statue of Janus Pannonius, bishop of Pécs from 1459 to 1472, carved by Miklós Borsos holding a book rather than showing his face, since no authentic portrait survives.

The tower sits in the center of Pécs and is easy to reach on foot from the main square. Visiting in natural light makes it much easier to follow the details of the stonework and the shape of the arrow loops.

The Barbakan is one of only a handful of this type of tower still standing in Hungary, as most city walls were torn down during urban expansion in the 18th and 19th centuries. Walking the full circle around its base, you can see that the curved wall leaves no blind angle, which was the whole point of its round design.