Discover Bárdudvarnok

Bárdudvarnok takes its character from several distinct attractions: the International Glass Artists’ Colony at Goszthony Mansion, the adventure park with its bird park and demonstration garden in Zsippó, and the monastery history of Kaposszentbenedek. Lake Petörke is also nearby. These attractions differ in their geographical scale and character. When planning your trip, it is therefore worth first distinguishing between art and history, wildlife and plants, and landscapes.

Glass art and monastery history

Goszthony Mansion in the Bárdibükk district of Bárdudvarnok has been home to the International Glass Artists’ Colony since 1990; if you plan to visit, check the current access arrangements in advance. Kaposszentbenedek offers a different cultural and historical attraction: a new monastery, built in the Scandinavian style, was erected on the site of a Benedictine monastery destroyed during the Ottoman period. These two stories highlight different things: one centres on the international glass artists’ colony, while the other traces the story from the destruction of a Benedictine monastery during the Ottoman period to the later construction of a new monastery in the Scandinavian style. If you appreciate both art and history, you can treat these as separate points of focus when planning your trip.

Bird park and demonstration garden in Zsippó

The 2.5-hectare adventure park in Zsippó brings together wildlife and plants; check the current access arrangements before planning a visit. Its bird park is home to nearly 100 bird species, including peacocks, parrots and waterfowl; there are also 37 breeds of pigeon and 26 breeds of chicken. The demonstration garden focuses on growing nearly 100 heritage and modern plant varieties. The figures illustrate different forms of diversity: the number given for birds is the number of species, for pigeons and chickens it is the number of breeds, and for the garden it is the number of plant varieties. This makes Zsippó different in character from the places associated with art and monastery history: wildlife and plants are brought together there, while remaining clearly distinct.

Lake Petörke: scenery nearby

Lake Petörke lies in the Petörke Valley, at the foot of Bárdudvarnok and 3–4 km from Olajhegy. This adds a landscape attraction nearby to the specific attractions of the local districts. Its position in the valley and at the foot of Bárdudvarnok gives it a different emphasis from cultural history or the nature-focused attractions in Zsippó. When planning your trip, it is worth treating the lake as a distinct attraction in the surrounding area rather than identifying it with one of the local districts.

Balaton – South: the wider setting

The broader destination of Balaton – South opens up a view of Somogy. In 2009, Zselici Tájvédelmi Körzet was awarded International Dark Sky Park status because of its low light pollution; Zselici Csillagpark was established in the heart of the protected area. The combination of a protected area, low light pollution and a dark sky park forms a distinct regional nature attraction. Somogy County is also home to Kis-Balaton, Zselici Tájvédelmi Körzet, Barcsi Ősborókás and Babócsai Basakert. Baláta is located between Kaszó and Szenta and is considered one of Somogy’s most highly valued natural assets. These examples describe the wider Balaton – South region and add a regional perspective.

Find the right location for your priorities

This range of attractions can help you choose a holiday apartment: Zsippó brings together wildlife and plants, the local districts have different cultural histories, and the lake offers nearby scenery; the dark sky park belongs to the wider regional setting. If you are travelling with others who have different interests, you can first decide which of these themes you want to shape your stay. You can then choose the location of your holiday apartment to suit that priority. This turns the range of attractions into a clear question for your trip planning, rather than treating every place as a similar stop.

Discover more destinations

Kaposfő, Hencse, Kaposmérő, Nagybajom, Kaposújlak, Szenna, Kaposszerdahely, Zselickisfalud

Return to the main travel overview: Kadarkúti.