Vasboldogasszony: Church, history and lavender garden

Vasboldogasszony offers travelers two distinct points of interest: the church’s long history and the seasonal lavender bloom in the Boldogasszony Lavender Garden. Two dates are important for putting the church’s construction into context. The church is first mentioned in 1409; stylistically, its construction is dated to the second half of the 13th century.

The church: history and architectural details

In 1698, only the church’s walls and tower remained; the bell was housed in a wooden belfry. The church was restored around 1700. In 1779, it was described as dilapidated, and its tower was partly stone and partly wood.

Several details are also recorded for 1754. At that time, the church still had a south portal, the choir and pulpit were made of wood, and the present-day altar was already there.

The semicircular choir and the façade tower date from the Middle Ages. The tower rests on a corbel on the outside and is supported by half-pillars inside. The east-facing choir contains a double pointed-arch sedilia and a sacrament niche. A sedilia is a seating niche; here, it is double and pointed-arched. Behind the altar is a bricked-up slit window, while traces of fire can be seen everywhere beneath the Baroque plaster.

The altar is carved from linden wood. Its relief depicts the Assumption of Mary, with Mary and angels set in a richly gilded frame.

Lavender bloom in June

Every June, 2,000 lavender plants from Tihany bloom in the Boldogasszony Lavender Garden. June is therefore the specific seasonal reference point if you would like to factor the recurring bloom into your travel plans. While the church’s history spans several centuries, the garden is associated with a recurring annual event tied to a particular month. These are two different considerations when choosing when to travel: historical architectural heritage or seasonal bloom.

Zala as a wider travel destination

The Zalai Borvidék is also part of the wider travel destination of Zala. It developed in Zala on the slopes and plateaus of the Zalai-dombság and on the northwestern slopes of the Keszthelyi-hegység. The wine region encompasses two wine-growing districts and 38 settlements. This regional context adds another landscape perspective in Zala to the local church history and seasonal garden. In the wider travel destination of Zala, the water buffalo festival at the Kápolnapuszta Bivalyreservátum takes place every year in May or June; the dates vary from year to year. The reserve can be explored along a 1.5-kilometer walking trail with rest areas and viewing points. During opening hours, guests may pet the tame animals every day. For planning by month: a festival date in May falls before the June lavender bloom; a date in June falls in the same month. Check the festival date for the year in question.

Discover more destinations: Lickóvadamos, Zalaháshágy, Pusztaederics, Bagod, Egervár, Hottó, Kustánszeg, Pusztaszentlászló

To the wider travel overview: Zalaegerszegi.