A large quantity of pottery shards supports the identification of medieval Iharos with the field below the present-day cemetery. From this early trace of settlement, the story turns to buildings, local remembrance and the park of the former Inkey Castle. Those interested in local history will find several different points of reference in Iharos—from archaeological evidence to events of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Church and former use
The Evangelical church was established in a former school building: in December 1975, the building was converted into a church under the direction of Pastor János Hegyháti. The change from educational to religious use is a notable chapter in Iharos’s local history. The Evangelical church was later renovated for its 50th building anniversary. The building’s conversion and its later renovation thus stand as two distinct milestones. If you would like to include the church in your plans, check in advance whether and when a visit is possible.
Early settlement traces and family history
Medieval Iharos was located in the field below the present-day cemetery. The large quantity of pottery shards found there supports this identification. This gives local history an archaeological dimension alongside the building’s later use: the finds help establish the location of the medieval settlement.
The Eötvös family’s history is also connected with Iharos: Eötvös Jolánta’s parents visited the village several times. József Eötvös died in 1871. Afterward, his wife moved to the countryside to live with her daughter and stayed with her until her own death in 1913. These biographical details span several decades of the 19th and early 20th centuries and add a personal dimension to the local stories of buildings and settlement.
Remembrance and the village landscape
On July 5, 2009, a life-size statue of Saint Ladislaus was erected in the church garden during the 10th Iharos Saint Ladislaus Days. It was the village’s first public monument and commemorates Blatt Vince, who died young and tragically. The Saint Ladislaus Days have been held every year since 2000. The statue’s installation, occasion and dedication give it a clear place in local remembrance; its story also links a single date with a recurring event.
Another point of reference in the landscape is the park of the former Inkey Castle. It lies on both sides of the road that runs through Iharos. While the church’s history is chiefly reflected in its former use, the park is defined by its location on either side of this road. This makes it possible to distinguish two different aspects of the village: the history of a building and the spatial setting of a green space.
Lake Balaton – South: the wider regional context
The wider travel destination of Lake Balaton – South broadens the view from local points of interest in Iharos to regional nature and landscape themes. In 2009, the Zselici Tájvédelmi Körzet was awarded the title of International Dark Sky Park because of its low light pollution; the Zselici Csillagpark was established in the heart of the protected area. Somogy County is home to, among other places, Kis-Balaton, the Zselici Tájvédelmi Körzet, Barcsi Ősborókás and Babócsai Basakert. Baláta lies between Kaszó and Szenta and is one of Somogy’s particularly valued natural assets. These examples give the regional context its own landscape perspective.
Water tourism is also represented at the regional level: the cross-regional Dráva active tourism network includes water tourism stops along its section in Somogy County. Individual facilities may change as development progresses. The themes are therefore distinct: Iharos offers specific local and commemorative history, while the wider examples highlight the natural and water-related features of the Lake Balaton – South travel destination.
When looking for a holiday apartment, you can first decide whether your trip will focus mainly on Iharos’s local history or whether you would also like to take account of the regional nature and water-related attractions of Lake Balaton – South. This lets you focus your accommodation search on the themes that matter most to your travel plans.
Discover more destinations: Berzence, Gyékényes, Szenta and Csurgónagymarton.
Go to the wider travel overview: Csurgói.
