Discover Lovászi

• Lovászi lies in the southwest of Zala County, in the Kerka Valley and on the river’s right bank.
• The Vasfüggöny Múzeum explores the Cold War and displays objects and archival footage relating to Lovászi’s past.
• The Kankalin Tanösvény runs around Lovászi; the Kerkaland Tour passes through the settlement.

At the Vasfüggöny Múzeum, period gas masks and other objects are displayed alongside archival footage relating to Lovászi’s past. A siren beside the building adds to this insight: it once stood on the roof of the bunker. The museum explores the Cold War era, bringing together objects, images and a relic with a direct connection to the settlement.

The Vasfüggöny Múzeum and the Légópince can be visited on a guided tour by prior appointment. The rooms open to visitors include a renovated, interactive command room and a first-aid room. If you plan to visit these sites, arrange your appointment in advance and confirm the current visiting arrangements.

The chapel known as the Kútfeji-kápolna was built in 1949 in connection with the new oil workers’ settlement. A choir space and bell tower were added in 1998–1999. These two construction phases provide a brief historical context: the chapel was built alongside the settlement and later expanded architecturally. Together with the museum, it offers a different perspective on Lovászi from its Cold War history.

The Kerkaland Tour passes through Lovászi, making it a specific point of interest for cycling enthusiasts. The Kankalin Tanösvény, by contrast, runs around the settlement and offers insights into Lovászi’s natural surroundings, folk traditions and folk architecture. Its themes also include plant and animal life and the history of the oil industry.

The two routes therefore offer different highlights: Lovászi is part of the route taken by the Kerkaland Tour, while the Kankalin Tanösvény focuses on the surroundings and several aspects of the settlement. You can choose between them based on whether you are more interested in a route through the settlement or a trail covering a broad range of themes.

Within the wider destination of Zala, the Zalai Borvidék offers a different regional perspective. It developed on the slopes and plateaus of the Zalai-dombság and on the northwestern slopes of the Keszthelyi-hegység, and comprises two wine-growing districts with a total of 38 settlements. Kis-Balaton is Zala’s largest body of water, strictly protected and covering 14,745 hectares. It also serves as the setting for István Fekete’s novels Tüskevár and Téli berek.

These regional examples represent Zala’s wider landscape and cultural diversity. Lovászi can also be explored through its own themes: the museum, the chapel and the trails around the settlement. When planning your trip, you can compare this local focus with the other interests you would like to pursue across the wider destination.

Explore more destinations: Csesztreg, Tormafölde, Gosztola, Ortaháza, Bödeháza, Lenti, Zalabaksa, Kerkateskánd.

What does the Vasfüggöny Múzeum display?

The museum explores the Cold War era. Displays include period gas masks and other objects, archival footage relating to Lovászi’s past, and a siren that once stood on the roof of the bunker.

How can you visit the museum and the Légópince?

Both can be visited on a guided tour by prior appointment. Confirm the current visiting arrangements before your trip.

What themes does the Kankalin Tanösvény cover?

The trail runs around Lovászi and covers the natural surroundings, folk traditions, folk architecture, plant and animal life, and the history of the oil industry.

When was the Kútfeji-kápolna built and expanded?

The chapel was built in 1949 in connection with the new oil workers’ settlement. A choir space and bell tower were added in 1998–1999.

For the wider travel overview: Lenti.