Kötcse: Tradition, School History and Wine

• The Kötcsei Kerbájt is a Protestant St. Elizabeth’s Day fair that preserves the traditions of the Protestant church in Kötcse; in 2016, it was celebrated there for the 218th time.
• The Oskolaház in Kötcse is an exhibition about the history of education.
• The cornerstone of the stone church, which still stands today, was laid on April 5, 1797.
• The Fáncsi Hegyi Pince has a wine-tasting room and was established for wine tourism and enjoying wine as a gastronomic experience.

The Kerbájt connects a specifically named fair with the traditions of the Protestant church in Kötcse. The fact that it was celebrated for the 218th time in 2016 places this tradition within a long series of celebrations. It is also a specific historical date: don’t infer a date for another year from it when planning your trip.

The Oskolaház adds another focus: the history of education. The stone church, in turn, offers a connection to the town’s architectural history. Its cornerstone was laid on April 5, 1797, and the church still stands today. These offer three distinct perspectives: church traditions, school history and a church building with a specific historical date. If you’re planning to visit the exhibition or the church, check current visiting arrangements in advance.

At the Fáncsi Hegyi Pince, wine and enjoying it as a gastronomic experience are the focus. The wine-tasting room is there for this purpose, and the winery was established for wine tourism. Its focus thus differs from the church and school history themes. If you’d like to include this visit in your plans, confirm current arrangements directly with the Fáncsi Hegyi Pince.

Nature and water-related themes provide a distinct regional context across the wider South Balaton destination. In 2009, the Zselici Tájvédelmi Körzet (Zselic Landscape Protection Area) received International Dark Sky Park designation because of its low light pollution. The Zselici Csillagpark (Zselic Star Park) was established in the heart of this protected area.

Somogy County is home to, among other places, Kis-Balaton, the Zselici Tájvédelmi Körzet, the Barcsi Ősborókás and the Babócsai Basakert. Baláta is also one of Somogy’s special natural assets; it lies between Kaszó and Szenta. These regional connections complement Kötcse’s local cultural themes without replacing them.

There’s also a regional connection to water tourism: the interregional Dráva active tourism network includes water tourism stops along its route through Somogy County. Together, these examples represent different themes within South Balaton: protected areas, a dark-sky park and water tourism.

Discover more destinations: Balatonőszöd, Szólád, Balatonszárszó, Nagycsepely, Koröshegy, Teleki, Szantod, Balatonföldvar.

What is the Kötcsei Kerbájt?

It’s a Protestant St. Elizabeth’s Day fair that preserves the traditions of the Protestant church in Kötcse. In 2016, it was celebrated there for the 218th time.

What is the Oskolaház?

The Oskolaház is an exhibition about the history of education in Kötcse. If you’re planning a visit, check current visiting arrangements in advance.

What is the Fáncsi Hegyi Pince’s connection to wine tourism?

It has a wine-tasting room and was established for wine tourism and enjoying wine as a gastronomic experience. Confirm current arrangements directly with the winery before your visit.

View the wider travel guide: Balatonföldvári.