Szőlősgyörök offers several distinct points of interest for a stay: architectural history at the castle and church, literary heritage, wine growing, and a landscape of named hills and gorges. Architecture and memorial sites offer a different focus from a wine tasting by prior arrangement or a climb with views across the surrounding area. This lets you explore the town through the themes that interest you, without having to follow a set itinerary.
Castle and church: comparing architectural history
The Jankovich Castle stands in the centre of Szőlősgyörök. It was built in 1820 in the Classicist style and remodelled in the Romantic style in 1860. The two dates mark a clear sequence: the Classicist building was followed by a Romantic remodelling. The castle is set in a protected park covering 17 hectares. The castle site therefore brings together two distinct aspects: the building’s architectural history and the park’s protected status.
The church in Szőlősgyörök also has its own architectural history: it was built in 1782 in the Baroque style, making it older than the castle. The altar of Saint Anthony associated with the church is a protected monument. Those interested in architecture can thus distinguish between different periods and scales: the Baroque church, the castle’s Classicist origins and its Romantic remodelling.
Literary heritage and wine growing
The town’s literary heritage links the naming of a street with a specific house. The street where the house of Gárdonyi Géza’s mother stands is named after the writer; a memorial plaque marks the house. The street name thus refers to Gárdonyi Géza, while the plaque identifies his mother’s house as a place of remembrance. This offers a distinct way to explore local history, alongside the architectural history of the castle and church.
Wine brings together a historical dimension and the opportunity to taste. Wine growing on Banyászó-hegy has a history of around 1,500 years. The Koltai Pincészet in Szőlősgyörök is a certified stop on the South Balaton Wine Route. Guests can taste seven wines there by prior arrangement; dinner can also be included on request. Please confirm the booking and the possibility of dinner with the winery again before your trip.
Hills, views and gorges
After climbing to Hava-tető, you can take in the surrounding area from an elevation of 209 metres. This adds a landscape perspective to the architectural and literary history. Gorges typical of the area have vertical walls and are 10 to 15 metres high. Mester-horog cuts through Katykó-tető. The area’s distinctive terrain names make the landscape recognisable not only by its elevations and formations but also by specific place names.
The wider setting: South Balaton
The wider destination of South Balaton offers another regional perspective. In 2009, Zselici Tájvédelmi Körzet received the International Dark Sky Park designation because of its low light pollution; Zselici Csillagpark was established in the heart of the protected area. Somogy County includes, among other places, Kis-Balaton, Zselici Tájvédelmi Körzet, Barcsi Ősborókás and Babócsai Basakert. The regional Dráva active tourism network also includes water-tourism stops along its route through Somogy County. Individual facilities may change as development continues.
Discover more destinations: Somogyvár, Kisberény, Lengyeltóti, Somogyvámos, Buzsák, Öreglak.
Back to the wider travel overview: Lengyeltóti.
