Sárvár’s neighbourhood
Surrounding localities
Szombathely
On the territory of Vas County’s capital, relics have been preserved since ancient times. The city was founded in The Roman Era by Emperor Claudius, around 50 BC and named Colonia Claudia Savariensium, i.e. Savaria.
In the historical core of the city, the past comes to life, for example, according to legend, the Roman Catholic Church of St. Martin and its associated Dominican monastery, was built over St. Martin’s birthplace. Savaria-Szombathely has been regarded as the place of worship for St. Martin since Charles the Great.
Tourist attractions of the town:
Canon House: Represents the late baroque style of the early 1780s.
Bishop’s Palace: Here you can visit the Sala terrena hall and its associated church history collection. The former fleshing room was painted by István Dorfmaister; the bishop has gathered here the unearthed roman sculpture fragments and inscribed stones. The building bombed in 1945 was rebuilt, and its furnishing is still being replaced.
Iseum: In the 2nd century the Isis cult of Egyptian origin was widespread in Pannonia. After the exploration of the Isis cult sanctuary revealed in Savaria (1955–1961) ruins were conserved. In the Iseum area, excavations are ongoing again, and it will be reopened for the public only after being completely rebuilt.
Synagogue: Using Eastern and Romantic elements Ludwig Schöne designed one of the country’s most preserved synagogues.
The town’s long-standing cultural events are the Savaria Historical Carnival, the Spring Festival, the St. Martin’s Week, the Savaria International Dance Competition and the Bartók Seminar and Festival.
Kőszeg
Formerly, it was the only free royal town of Vas County.
Points of interest:
General’s House: you can see here exhibitions of the Jurisics Miklós Museum presenting crafts and the life of guilds in Kőszeg.
Kőszeg Historical City Core: It is one of the smallest and most beautiful historical city cores in Hungary.
The Golden Unicorn Pharmacy Museum is a craftwork memorial with furniture carved from valuable oak, walnut and lime wood, decorated with pictures of saints, and it is also featuring a pharmaceutical history collection.
Sigray Palace: Its former Renaissance image was restored during its renovation – today the Europe’s House Association works here.
Old Tower and Castle: also known as Zwinger, the largest bastion of the town’s former defensive structures. Based on findings revealed nearby, it was probably built in the 13th century, while its polygonal shape was attained in the Anjou era. From here you can see the preserved longest part of the former southern city wall. The castle built by the Kőszeg family also served to protect the town: the fortress, consisting of the forecourt and the inner castle, once lived a completely separate life from the city. The outbuildings of the forecourt encircle the statue of Miklós Jurisics. The inner castle is the oldest part of Kőszeg. Its northern and southern walls, along with the four corner towers, were built in the 13th century and it was completed by the beginning of the 16th century. Today, the castle accommodates a cultural centre and a castle theatre in the courtyard. The town history exhibition of Miklós Jurisics Castle Museum was also placed here.
Somló mountain
Somlóvásárhely is the capital of Somló wine region.
Its famous wine is the Somló “juhfark”, the wine of the wedding nights. It was recommended even to kings for such famous occasions, because after consuming it, supposedly there was a greater chance of having a male child. Vinum somlainum omni sanum – the wine of Somló heals everything – was stated in the pharmacy recipes in the 18th – 19th century. It may be an exaggeration, but the wine was still recommended… Anyway, Maria Theresa always drank a glass before going to bed. She gave birth to sixteen children!
At the top of the mountain, Somló Castle watched over surroundings, but today only its ruins can be seen. The educational path of the national park named after Pál Kitaibel leads there.
Lake Balaton
It is the largest freshwater lake in Hungary and Central Europe, Hungary’s most valuable natural treasure. Lake Balaton has a surface of 590 km2.
Water levels are controlled by the Sió sluice. With its wonderful natural surroundings, the Small Balaton Lake also belonging to Lake Balaton attracts many anglers and birdwatchers.
Lake Balaton has an average depth of 3–4 meters. The largest depth of 11.5 meters is reached in the Tihany well, between the Siófok and the Szemes Basin.
On average, the surface of the lake is bathed in sunshine for more than 2,000 hours, and the temperature of the shallow water quickly follows that of the air. During long, warm summers, the water warms up to 25–27oC, making the lake a popular bathing area.
In winter, the water may freeze for a long time, and the ice may thicken to 20–30 cm, or even 60 cm. Ice skating and ice sailing opportunities attract many people.
The shore of Lake Balaton is a wine-growing region all around.