As you approach, Magyarkeszi’s church tower is not visible from any direction; it can only be seen from the 262 m-high Geráb-hegy, the highest point in the municipality. The tower is therefore not a landmark visible from all sides to help you find your way as you approach. Magyarkeszi lies in a valley, in hilly terrain at the northern tip of Tolna County.

Location between a valley and three counties

Geographically, the village is in the northwestern part of Tolna County and the northern part of the Somogy–Tolna Hills; the counties of Tolna, Somogy and Fejér meet here. Magyarkeszi also belongs to the Tamási catchment area. These details describe different scales: the valley and hills characterize the landscape, while the counties and catchment area provide the regional context.

Church windows and local traditions

The church’s stained-glass windows were made in 1986. A year earlier, in 1985, the Hagyományőrző Népdalkör (Traditional Folk Song Group) began its activities in Magyarkeszi. The two consecutive years represent different cultural references: the church windows and the folk song group.

A harvest procession takes place in Magyarkeszi every year. Another local tradition is the Corpus Christi procession organized by the church. During the procession, the priest carries the Blessed Sacrament to three existing chapels and to a fourth station set up specially in a tent. The four stations correspond to the four cardinal directions. If you would like to time your trip to coincide with one of these events, check the specific dates in advance. The arrangement of the stations to the north, east, south and west makes their spatial distribution clear as part of the procession’s order.

More to explore in the wider Tolna destination

The wider Tolna destination also offers other themes to explore. In Tamási, Tamási Termálfürdő has a sauna world, leisure pools and medicinal water. As specific facilities and opening arrangements may change, check the latest information before visiting. The Pacsmag Lakes are an important Hungarian habitat for the strictly protected ferruginous duck. This broader travel area therefore offers both a thermal spa and a protected habitat as distinct attractions.

Two more cultural destinations in the wider Tolna destination are located in Szekszárd. The Babits Mihály Memorial House is housed in the more than 200-year-old Kelemen House and is a literary memorial site. It thus brings together literary history and an old building. Also in Szekszárd, the Wosinsky Mór Museum is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00, except Mondays; opening hours may differ on public holidays. If you are planning a museum visit on a public holiday, check the hours in advance.

Another historical point of interest in the wider Tolna destination is Pipo Castle, built by Filippo Scolari of Florence.

Discover more destinations: Regöly, Miszla, Szakadát, Koppányszántó, Felsonyék, Kisszékely, Simontornya, Kalaznó

Back to the main travel overview: Tamási.