Kehidakustány
Welcome to Kehidakustány - situated in a picturesque valley on the banks of the Zala river. It was in 1977 that Kehidakustány was formed as a result of the unification of Kehida and Kustány.
The origins of these two ancient settlements date back to times preceding written history. The most important archeological findings of the area were discovered in the Avar cemeteries located in the outskirts of the villages. The first written document mentioning the name of Kustány is from 1181, while the name 'Kehida' first appears in 1232 in the famous charter of Kehida.
This wonderful region, rich in woods and meadows, was also discovered by several religious orders, including the Hungarian-founded Order of the Pauline Fathers, who had three monasteries nearby. One of them was located in Kustány, on a small islet formed by the Zala river. The ruins of its chapel are still distinguishable.
In the middle ages the lords of the village built a mansion, which also included a small chapel. It was later turned into a fortress and was destroyed by the Turkish invasion in 1588.
Our most important sights are the Mansion and Baroque church, both built by the Hertelendy family in the 1700s. Ferenc Deák of Kehida, Minister of Justice of the first independent Hungarian government lived in Kehida in 1808-1854. In the 20th century the village continued to be the intellectual center of the region, owing to the establishment of a school of agriculture on the Deák estate.
The settlement once serving as the residence of the Deák family has become a favorite destination of many tourists, yet it has managed to conserve its relaxed atmosphere reminding the visitor of the old days.
Kehida is the ideal destination for an exciting yet relaxing holiday. Leisure opportunities abound. Besides a wide range of services provided by Kehida Thermal Spa, visitors preferring fishing, hunting horseback-riding, museum visits or romantic walks on clean and fresh air in a wonderful natural environment can also find the activities of their choice. Quality accommodation and dining locations in the village and in the surrounding settlements welcome visitors with fine wines from the region.
Almásháza
(Route 76, 10 kilometers from Kehidakustány)
We find the earliest written mention of Almás dating back to the year 1198. It is believed the town (Almásháza) carries the namesake of two gentlemen; Janos Almasi and Miklos Hagymasi dating back to the year 1513. Interestingly the small town had become a practically extinct at various times throughout history but later was the home to the Batthyany family estate in the 1700s. Visitors to the area can visit the town's first chapel which was dedicated in 1908. Directly in front of the chapel sits an old stone cross which dates back to the year 1864.The most important event in this small village is the "Straw-yard" handicraft and folklore festival that takes place on the secon weekend in September every year.
Zalacsány
( Route 76, 5 kilometers from Kehidakustány)
Birthplace to László Csány (1790), Minister of Transport and Postal Services of the second independent Hungarian government, and plenipotentiary envoy of Lajos Kossuth in Transylvania (present day Romania). Together with other martyrs of the 1848 Revolution he was sentenced to hang in Budapest on October 10, 1949. The building became property of the Bathhyány family in the mid-1800s and was enlarged and remodeled in the Baroque style. After 1945 it functioned as an orphanage and was most recently renovated into a hotel.
Kallósd
(5 kilometers from Kehidakustány)
This small village hidden among the hills of Zala County has a total population of roughly 106. It can be reached along the route connecting Zalaszentgrót and Kehida and is approximately five kilometers from Kehidakustány. It's most famous and nationally renowned sight is the round church from the period of the Árpád dynasty, built around 1260. Inside the Roman style church are Gothic elements with six sedilia with a lancet above each seat. A narrow staircase built into the wall leads up to the wooden gallery. The dome is bell-shaped.
A leisurely walk along the outskirts of the village will treat tourists with cellars built of log walls and buildings with thatched roofs.
Zalaszentgrót
(14 kms from Kehidakustány)
Six settlements were united 1984 and recognized as Zalaszentgrót in 1984 with a total population of nearly 8,000. It was named after the 11th century martyred bishop, Gellért (Gerardus).
The Batthyány Castle built in Baroque-Renaissance style in the 18th century is located on the banks of the Zala river. Its well-kept park abounds in botanical delights with century-old sycamore trees and giant magnolia bushes. Today, the castle serves as a home for disabled children. The 'Small Castle' adjacent to the building used to be the servants' residence and is museum today which houses local historical items and relics of firefighters. The silhouette of a gigantic Turul bird made of brass is prominently displayed in front of the building. This historical monument is a commemoration to those deceased while defending their homeland. Another sight of the square is the fountain resembling a boy seated on the back of a swan.
One of the symbols of the town is the restored old stone bridge from the 19th century. It stands as a reminder of the settlement's role in transport and commerce at one time. The Ruin Tower (the restored tower of the convent church built in the 1200s in Roman and Early Gothic style) is located in the district of Kisszentgrót, along the route leading to Lake Balaton. Open-air concerts are held there in summer.
St. Grót Thermal Spa is open year round. Member cellars and taverns of the Wine Route Association of Zala County welcome visitors in a relaxed atmosphere. Fans of fishing can take advantage of eight ponds located within town boundaries and hunters are attracted to the region by the prospect of high quality prey.
Dötk
Dotk is a tiny village of only 26 residents who actually reside on the banks of the Dötk creek, some sixteen kilometers from Kehida. The village is one of the last remaining examples of the beauties of traditional folk architecture. Even the church used to be a residential building, that of a well-off peasant family, which was remodeled to gain its new function in the beginning of the last century. The ponds created along Dötk Creek have become a favorite destination of fishermen and lovers of quaint sceneries alike. Dötk also serves as the headquarters of the Eco-region Foundation, a center developing and presenting sustainable environmental technologies and Eco-architecture as well as running environmental conservation projects in the region. It is also worth visiting Noe's Wine House, a member of the Wine Route Association of Zala County.
