Discover Karmacs: church history and hotels

• Cycling route 13 passes through Karmacs.
• The church tower standing in the cemetery was restored in the 1980s.
• The baptismal font in the 15th-century late Gothic tower dates from the early 13th century.
• The stones from the nave of the cemetery church, demolished in 1895, were used for the present-day rectory.
• The Szent Anna-templom is a freestanding building with a nave and a semicircular apse.

The cemetery in Karmacs brings together structures from different historical periods. Its surviving late Gothic church tower dates from the 15th century and was restored in the 1980s. The tower’s baptismal font is older: it dates from the early 13th century. The different dates set the tower and the font in contrast with one another.

The nave of the cemetery church was demolished in 1895. Its stones were used to build the present-day rectory, and a Gothic rose window was also installed in its gable wall. In this way, the history of the demolished nave is also connected to the rectory. Botka Mihály was buried in the cemetery in Karmacs in 1871.

The Szent Anna-templom is freestanding and has a nave and a semicircular apse. On the south side, the bell tower projects in front of the facade; there are also two slanted buttresses there. These features describe the church’s exterior design.

Another detail is beside the entrance: an original wooden spiral staircase leads to the gallery. The gallery has a Bohemian vault. Comparing the architectural histories of the churches in Karmacs reveals two different focal points: at the cemetery, the dates of the tower and baptismal font and the story of the reused building stones take centre stage; at the Szent Anna-templom, the focus is on the design and architectural details.

Cycling route 13 passes through Karmacs. If you choose destinations based on a named cycling route, you can include the village in your own route planning. Another point of reference is the Szent Anna Church: it is just a short distance from the main road. These are two different reference points—the route passing through Karmacs and the church’s location in relation to the main road.

The wider Zala destination offers other themes to consider when planning your trip. The Zalai Borvidék developed on the slopes and plateaus of the Zalai-dombság, as well as on the northwestern slopes of the Keszthelyi-hegység. It comprises two wine-growing districts and 38 settlements. This means that, alongside architectural history, the wine-growing landscape is another theme to explore in Zala.

The Kápolnapuszta Bivalyrezervátum in Zala has a 1.5-kilometre walking trail with rest areas and viewpoints. During opening hours, visitors can pet the tame animals every day. The reserve also hosts a water buffalo festival each year in May or June; the exact dates may vary from year to year.

Discover more destinations: Esztergályhorváti, Balatongyörök, Keszthely, Vindornyalak, Zalaszántó, Vonyarcvashegy, Várvölgy, Zalavár.

What is known about the church tower in the cemetery?

The surviving late Gothic church tower dates from the 15th century and was restored in the 1980s. Its baptismal font dates from the early 13th century.

What is the architectural design of the Szent Anna-templom?

It is a freestanding building with a nave and a semicircular apse. The bell tower projects in front of the south facade.

Which cycling route passes through Karmacs?

Cycling route 13 passes through Karmacs.

To the wider travel overview: Keszthelyi.