Three distinct themes shape the way Karmacs is seen: the building history of the cemetery tower, the architecture of the Szent Anna Church, and Cycling Route 13, which passes through the village. For travel planning, the cultural details and cycling connection can be considered separately: the churches tell of different building styles and periods, while the cycle route provides a specific reference point for planning your own route.

Cemetery tower and rectory: several periods

A preserved late Gothic church tower from the 15th century stands in the cemetery of Karmacs. Its baptismal font dates from the early 13th century, making it considerably older than the tower. The later history of the cemetery church can also be read in the buildings: its nave was demolished in 1895, and the stones were used to build the present-day rectory. A Gothic rose window was incorporated into its gable wall.

The tower was restored in the 1980s. The baptismal font, tower and rectory thus represent different stages in the local building history: a baptismal font from the early 13th century, the late Gothic tower, and the reuse of stones from the demolished nave. The rose window adds another architectural detail to the rectory’s history. Those interested in historic architectural styles will find more than a single period represented here.

The architecture of the Szent Anna Church

The Szent Anna Church in Karmacs is a detached building with a single nave and a semicircular apse. The bell tower projects in front of the south façade; there are also two angled buttresses on this side. This clearly distinguishes the church’s overall form from the design of its south side.

The church’s interior also has distinctive architectural features: beside the entrance, an original wooden spiral staircase leads to the gallery. The gallery has a Bohemian vault. The staircase and vault form another part of the building’s design, distinct from the layout of the exterior façade. Together, the two churches in Karmacs offer different points of interest for exploring religious architecture: at the cemetery, the tower and its building history; at the Szent Anna Church, its layout, south façade and gallery, among other features.

Planning your stay and cycling route

The Church of Saint Anne is only a short distance from the main road. Separately, Cycling Route 13 passes through Karmacs. If you include Cycling Route 13 in your plans, check the current route before setting out.

In the wider destination of Zala

The range of themes in the wider destination of Zala extends beyond Karmacs’s building history. The Zalai Wine Region comprises two wine-growing districts and 38 settlements. It stretches across the slopes and plateaus of the Zalai-dombság and the northwestern slopes of the Keszthelyi-hegység. Viticulture is therefore a regional landscape theme here.

The Kis-Balaton offers another perspective: it is Zala’s largest body of water, is strictly protected, and covers 14,745 hectares. It is also the setting for István Fekete’s classic novels Tüskevár and Téli berek. At the Kotsy watermill in Zalaszántó, a 390-centimeter overshot waterwheel mechanism can be seen in operation. Landscape, literature and historic technology are further distinct themes within the wider destination of Zala.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Balatongyörök, Zalaszántó, Zalavár, Esztergályhorváti, Vonyarcvashegy, Várvölgy, Keszthely, Gyenesdias.

Back to the main travel overview: Keszthelyi.