The Chapel of the Holy Guardian Angels in Pusztaederics-Szompácspuszta brings together a history stretching from the 13th century to the Baroque period and a church feast held in September. There are also two routes listed in a regional tourism programme from 2012. Pusztaederics thus offers both a clearly defined historic site and a range of themes to consider when planning a trip.
A chapel with medieval roots
The Chapel of the Holy Guardian Angels was built in the mid-13th century as the parish church of the village of Szompács. After the destruction during the Turkish occupation, it was rebuilt in the Baroque style in 1755; parts of the Romanesque foundations have survived. Several historic layers can therefore be distinguished in the same building: the former parish church, the Baroque reconstruction, and the surviving section of the older foundations. This sequence makes the chapel a tangible point of reference for anyone interested in the history of the place.
The chapel’s church feast takes place on the first Sunday in September and is one of the most important local traditions. If you would like to plan your trip around the event, check the date for the relevant year in advance.
Two routes, different points of interest
The 2012 regional tourism programme lists the Zöld Túra and the Zöld Kereszt. The Zöld Túra connects Pusztaederics via Ketvég, the Gyorósi Forest, the Miskei Forest and the Tompai Forest with Alsóhahót on Road 74. The Zöld Kereszt connects Pusztaederics with the Bezerédi Forest. The programme names Söjtöri SE / Zöld Klub as the organisation responsible for both routes.
The routes are distinguished mainly by their listed destinations and waypoints: the Zöld Túra has several stops, while the Zöld Kereszt is associated with the Bezerédi Forest. If you are planning an excursion on either route, check its current status beforehand.
A building with several public uses
The former manor house of smallholder Hári Kálmán now houses a community centre, the mayor’s office, a library, a telehouse, a cultural hall, a doctor’s office and an ecumenical prayer room. Its uses thus range from local government and library services to culture, medical care and a religious space for prayer. The building also represents the different functions of local life; its current use may change.
In the wider destination of Zala
The Zalai Borvidék is part of the region’s broader range of themes. It developed on the slopes and plateaus of the Zalai-dombság and on the northwestern slopes of the Keszthelyi-hegység, and comprises two wine-growing districts and 38 settlements. Viticulture is therefore a broad landscape and regional 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.
Other regional examples offer different points of interest. At the Kápolnapuszta Bivalyrezervátum, visitors can explore a 1.5-kilometre walking trail with rest areas and viewpoints. Guests may pet the tame animals every day during opening hours. The water buffalo festival is held annually in May or June; the exact dates may vary from year to year. The Kápolnapuszta Bivalyreservátum and its water buffalo festival add regional nature and event themes to Pusztaederics’s local attractions within the wider destination of Zala.
Discover more destinations: Vaspör, Lakhegy, Egervár, Szentkozmadombja, Pusztaszentlászló, Kiskutas, Gősfa, Baktüttös
Go to the wider travel overview: Zalaegerszegi.
