Number of inhabitants: 1,800
| The former Soviet military airport is run by the Zalavár-Sármellék Airport Kft with assistance from the Hungarian airline, MALÉV. The present classification of the airport is category C. It has been receiving charter flights since 1993. In 1996, the number of passengers passing through the airport was some 8,600 people. It also facilities for gliding, hang-gliding, hot-air ballooning and parachuting . |  |
Number of inhabitants: 1,000
Places of interest
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The vársziget or "castle island" can be found on the outskirts of Zalavár, near Kis-Balaton. In the 9th century, Pribina, having fled from Nyitra, was given a certain area of land by the Franks, and was later made a count having specific responsibilities in regard to the protection of the border along the River Zala. He settled on the alluvial plain of the Zala and built his administrative centre, the importance of which was that throughout centuries this was the only crossing point. He founded a fortified settlement and built churches. They also started converting the Slavs living in the area to Christianity. Cyril and Method arrived here in 867. They had a lot to do as at the time this region was one of the most populated in the country. On the same site in 1019, our first king, Szent István or St Stephen founded a Benedictine abbey, which was the centre of the royal county. |
When the Turks were approaching, the Benedictines fled. The monastery and the church were turned into a castle. Today we can see the monuments to St Stephen erected in 1938, and to Cyril and Method by Frigyes Janzer in 1985, and the memorial chapel built in 1996, according to Gyula Pelényi's plans, on the foundations of the chapel that used to stand in the site in the times of St Stephen.
On a former island at Récéskút, the foundations of a semi-circular 11th-century church with three aisles can be seen.
The embankment of Kis-Balaton carries a road from Zalavár across Kis-Balaton.
It is a paradise for anglers. Fishing licences are available from the water bailiffs on the spot.
Further Information : Zalatour Utazási Iroda
It used to be an open-water bay of Lake Balaton, but was gradually filled up with sediments, becoming a marshy flood plain and reed swamp. Following the 1922 draining there was only half a square kilometre of open water remaining, which almost destroyed this sanctuary for birds.
The situation has changed since the mid-80's, when the 1,870- hectare, 28 million cubic-metre reservoir was built. The River Zala flows along the 22-km-long artificial lake, then turns before returning to its original bed. The bird-life can best be studied from the island of Kányavár.
The following birds live here: heron, common heron, squacco heron, cormorant, spoonbill, great crested grebe, coot, great reed-warbler, warbler, and owl. So far some 232 species of birds have been identified in the area, nearly one hundred of which actually nest here.
You can only enter the strictly protected area of Kis-Balaton with a permit which must be obtained in advance. To apply for a permit and to arrange an appointment, it is necessary to call the research centre at Fenékpuszta : 0036-83-315-341.