The dusty, winding path from Nagyrada to the shore of Kis-Balaton begins opposite the church; Szelemi-hegy is the village’s vineyard hill. Together with the Neo-Gothic church and the reed beds by the water, these destinations give Nagyrada a distinct character. If you are considering the village as a place to stay, you can base your decision on different interests: trails and scenery sit alongside church art and a recurring tradition on St Urban’s Day.

Walks between the village, hill and shore

Szelemi-hegy is Nagyrada’s vineyard hill. A walk through the village and a hike up the hill offer different perspectives on the place and its landscape. A dusty, winding walking path leads to the shore of Kis-Balaton; its starting point is opposite the church. The shore near Nagyrada is accessible only on foot or by bicycle. When planning, therefore, it is not just the destination that matters, but also how you get there: the route to the water is part of a walking or cycling trip.

Church art and St Urban’s Day

The Neo-Gothic church was completed in 1894; construction began in 1890. The altarpiece by János Vaszary in the main nave depicts King Stephen handing the crown to Mary and entrusting her with the care of Hungary. Painted windows add to the interior; the seven round windows above the altar represent the seven sacraments. The Neo-Gothic style thus combines a historical date with a specific depiction of a saint and the sacraments. There is another religious connection on Szelemi-hegy: a cross dedicated to Saint Urban stands there. Every year on St Urban’s Day, the priest celebrates Mass in front of it, where winegrowers ask for a blessing for the coming year.

Reeds and waterside scenery

Nagyrada lies almost directly beside Kis-Balaton and the Balaton Uplands National Park. The reed beds of Kis-Balaton lie at the edge of Nagyrada’s gardens and are a popular nesting site for waterbirds. Water and landscape here therefore shape not only the route to the shore, but also a habitat for birds.

Kis-Balaton in the wider destination of Zala

In the wider destination of Zala, Kis-Balaton is the largest body of water; it is under strict protection and covers 14,745 hectares. Kis-Balaton is also the setting for István Fekete’s classic novels in the wider destination of Zala: Tüskevár and Téli berek.

Wine connections on the hill and in Zala

Cezar Winery is located on Szelemi-hegy in Nagyrada. In the wider destination of Zala, Zalai Borvidék provides another point of reference for wine: it developed in Zala on the slopes and plateaus of the Zalai-dombság and on the northwestern slopes of the Keszthelyi-hegység. The area comprises two wine-growing districts and 38 settlements.

Discover more destinations: Garabonc, Zalaszabar, Kisrécse, Gelse, Zalasárszeg, Miháld, Galambok, Zalakaros

See the overview of the wider destination: Zalakarosi.