Nagyrada between vineyard hills and Kis-Balaton

Water, vineyard hills and village scenery

Nagyrada brings together trails to Kis-Balaton, Szelemi-hegy as a vineyard hill, and a Neo-Gothic church with painted windows and an altarpiece by János Vaszary. The village lies almost directly next to Kis-Balaton and the Balaton Uplands National Park. This brings waterside scenery, outdoor activities, wine-growing and sacred architecture together as distinct themes to consider when planning your trip.

To the shores of Kis-Balaton

The reed beds of Kis-Balaton lie at the edge of Nagyrada’s gardens and are a popular nesting site for waterbirds. The shore near Nagyrada can be reached only on foot or by bicycle. A dusty, winding walking trail leads from Nagyrada to the shore; it starts opposite the church. The shore path and the walk up Szelemi-hegy lead to different destinations: reeds and waterbirds are the focus by the water, while the vineyard hill offers a hiking route.

A walk and local tradition

Szelemi-hegy is Nagyrada’s vineyard hill and invites you to stroll through the village and hike up the hill. A cross dedicated to Saint Urban stands on Szelemi-hegy. Every year on Saint Urban’s Day, the parish priest celebrates Mass in front of it, where winemakers ask for a blessing for the coming year. Cezar Winery is also located on Szelemi-hegy in Nagyrada. This annual event gives the local wine-growing tradition a religious dimension: at Mass, winemakers ask for a blessing for the coming year.

Church and furnishings

Construction of Nagyrada’s Neo-Gothic church began in 1890 and was completed in 1894. The main nave houses an altarpiece by János Vaszary. It depicts King Stephen handing the crown to Mary and entrusting her with the care of Hungary. Seven round, painted windows above the altar represent the seven sacraments. These details of the furnishings have distinct emphases: the painting depicts a specific scene, while the windows represent the sacraments.

In the wider destination of Zala

In the wider destination of Zala, Kis-Balaton is the largest body of water. The strictly protected area covers 14,745 hectares and is the setting for István Fekete’s classic novels, Tüskevár and Téli berek. Another regional landmark is the Zalai Borvidék wine region: it was established in Zala on the slopes and plateaus of the Zalai-dombság and on the northwestern slopes of the Keszthelyi-hegység. The wine region comprises two wine-growing districts and 38 settlements.

Another distinct nature destination in the wider destination of Zala is the Kápolnapuszta Bivalyrezervátum in Zalakomár. The reserve can be explored via a 1.5-kilometre walking trail with rest areas and viewpoints. During opening hours, visitors can pet the tame animals every day. The Water Buffalo Festival takes place every year in May or June; dates may vary from year to year, so check the specific festival date before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Zalakaros, Gelse, Zalaszabar, Kisrécse, Balatonmagyaród, Zalamerenye, Garabonc, Galambok

For the overview of the wider destination: Zalakarosi.