Ortaháza: Crosses, Chapel and Cycling Route

If you’re looking for a hotel for a stay in Ortaháza, the local crosses, chapel history and the “Zala két keréken” cycling tour, which passes through the village, offer specific points of interest for planning your trip. The wider destination of Zala also offers other landscape, cultural and leisure attractions that are explicitly located in other places.

Local History: Crosses and Chapel

The Czigány-kereszt stands at the corner of Ortaháza’s community center and was erected in 1914. Two other crosses can be distinguished by their locations: the Takács-kereszt stands in the former schoolyard, and the Kovács-kereszt in the village center. The community center, former schoolyard and village center are therefore three separate landmarks for the crosses.

A chapel in the center of Ortaháza was built in 1926. Another historical detail is the conversion of a building originally constructed as a bell tower into a chapel. These two facts add different aspects of sacred architectural history to the village’s history.

Cycling Route Through Ortaháza

The “Zala két keréken” cycling tour passes through Ortaháza and continues to Gutorfölde. For cyclists, the direction matters: the route passes through the village and then continues on to Gutorfölde. Check the current route before setting out.

Other Destinations in the Wider Destination of Zala

The Zalai Borvidék comprises two wine-growing districts and 38 settlements. It developed in Zala on the slopes and plateaus of the Zalai-dombság and on the northwestern slopes of the Keszthelyi-hegység. The Kotsy-vízimalom in Zalaszántó offers a technical attraction for visitors: a 390-centimeter overshot waterwheel mechanism can be seen in operation there.

Kis-Balaton is Zala’s largest body of water, is strictly protected and covers 14,745 hectares. It is also the setting for István Fekete’s classic novels “Tüskevár” and “Téli berek.” A seasonal landscape attraction is the Azáleás-völgy in the Alsóerdő of Zalaegerszeg, which is a special sight for day-trippers in spring.

Zala’s buildings offer their own highlights, too: the Festetics kastély in Keszthely is Hungary’s fourth-largest castle and has 101 rooms. At the Zalavári Történelmi Emlékpark, the Millenniumi Emléképület and Szent István kápolna can be visited free of charge during opening hours. Check the current opening days before your trip.

At the Kápolnapuszta Bivalyrezervátum, visitors can explore a 1.5-kilometer walking trail with rest areas and viewpoints. During opening hours, guests may pet the tame animals every day. The water buffalo festival is held there every year in May or June; since the date can vary from year to year, check the event date for the year you plan to visit.

Other regional thermal attractions include Gelse Termálvölgy, with seven pools—including sports, family and thermal-water experience pools, as well as a children’s pool—and wellness services. Lake Hévíz is the world’s largest biologically active natural thermal lake. Therapeutic treatments at the lake are available by appointment only; appointments can be booked at the therapy reception of Festetics Bath House.

Discover more destinations: Tormafölde, Kerkafalva, Csesztreg, Alsószenterzsébet, Zalabaksa, Bödeháza, Lovászi, Lenti

Back to the wider travel overview: Lenti.