Discover Pölöske

• Pölöske Castle was captured and set on fire in 1664; Leopold I ordered it demolished in 1702.
• The Pölöske Lakes are characterized by islands, reed beds, and a marshy bog area.
• Vineyards are still cultivated in Kishegy and Öreghegy.
• The nearby Sohollári Valley is home to an arboretum and several memorial sites.

The castle’s history can be traced through a series of sieges, recapture, and destruction: in 1664, after several unsuccessful sieges, it was captured and set on fire by the Turks. It was soon recaptured and restored. On the orders of Leopold I, it was demolished in 1702. Today, a dense, scrubby forest grows over the remains.

The Teleki manor is also associated with a historic estate. It included two large, two-storey granaries with hipped roofs, a small chapel by the road, and a large former horse-breeding stud. Count István Széchenyi founded a stud in 1855, for which horses were also imported from England. These details add an agricultural and architectural dimension to the history of the area alongside the castle.

A monument commemorates the heroes of 1664: the Pölöske fighters who died battling the Ottomans, as well as the heroes of Zala’s border fortresses. The war memorial in Pölöske bears 101 names. Together, the two memorial sites show different aspects of remembrance: the struggle for the town and the memory of those who fell in a broader regional context.

Larger and smaller islands interrupt the open waters of the Pölöske Lakes. Reed beds and a marshy bog area line the shores. Various species of wild ducks and geese can often be spotted at Lake Pölöske. Visitors interested in the landscape and birdlife will therefore find different highlights here than those exploring the castle’s history and monuments.

The hills also tell the story of how the land is used. Vineyards are still cultivated in Kishegy and Öreghegy. At the same time, their use has changed: younger generations are increasingly using the wine cellars in the hills as weekend homes. A large proportion of the vines have been uprooted; mostly, table grapes are still grown for personal use. The vineyards are therefore not just a feature of the landscape, but also part of life in the area today.

Sohollári Valley lies close to Pölöske, between Bak and Pölöske. It is home to the Hét Vezér memorial site with its carved memorial posts. Nearby are two groups of spruce trees, about a hundred years old and protected by nature conservation laws; across the road stands the hunters’ memorial tree. The various memorials and protected trees make this a destination in its own right, alongside the monuments in Pölöske.

The Sohollári Arboretum, established in 1972, lies around the hunting lodge in the valley. Its landscape features include a small artificial lake with an island in the middle. For years, the central opening event of the hunting season in Zala has been held in the arboretum; its main feature is a Hubertus Mass. St. Hubertus Chapel was consecrated in 2001 and built specifically for these season-opening events. If you would like to plan your stay around this event, check the date for your travel year in advance.

This allows you to assess the destination according to your own interests, without treating historic sites, landscapes, and regional events as if they were the same thing.

Discover more destinations: Misefa, Zalaszentmihály, Nagykapornak, Zalaigrice.

What happened to Pölöske Castle in 1664?

After several unsuccessful sieges, the castle was captured and set on fire by the Turks in 1664. It was restored after being recaptured soon afterward, then demolished in 1702 on the orders of Leopold I.

What are the landscape features of the Pölöske Lakes?

The open waters are dotted with larger and smaller islands. Reed beds and a marshy bog area line the shores; various species of wild ducks and geese are often spotted.

What can you expect at the Sohollári Arboretum?

The arboretum, established around the hunting lodge in 1972, includes a small artificial lake with an island. For years, it has hosted the central opening event of the hunting season in Zala, with a Hubertus Mass as its main feature.

How has viticulture in Pölöske changed?

Vineyards are still cultivated in Kishegy and Öreghegy. Many vines have been uprooted; mostly, table grapes are still grown for personal use, while younger generations are increasingly using the wine cellars in the hills as weekend homes.

Go to the regional travel overview: Pacsai.