Magyarpolány: Calvary Hill and Village History

Calvary Hill and the Szent László Church

On the hill beside the church, the Calvary sculpture group features almost life-size figures at five stations. The Swabian Listner brothers created them in 1780. There is also a chapel at the top of Calvary Hill, dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows. Calvary Hill is part of the cultural, natural and architectural heritage of Via Calvaria.

The Szent László Church was built between 1761 and 1773 by Abbot Konstantin Haschke of Heinrichau together with master builder János Hoffpaur of Zirc. A specially protected historic monument, it is a Baroque church with a high altar and two side altars in the Copf style. The construction dates provide a concrete historical context for the ensemble: the sculpture group was created in 1780, after the church was built.

Petőfi Street and rural everyday culture

Historic Petőfi Street is known for its farmhouses with verandas. The Magyarpolányi Tájház is housed in a traditional stone building on this street. Its collection includes furnishings and household items from traditional rural life, as well as typical examples of folk costume. In Magyarpolány, you can thus encounter two distinct aspects of the village’s history: the streetscape with its farmhouses, and objects that tell the story of everyday domestic life and clothing.

The other rooms in the same building house an artists’ house and an art school. During the summer months, visitors can explore various art forms with the guidance of expert masters. Check current visiting arrangements before visiting the Tájház; you should also confirm the seasonal art program for your dates.

The Passion Play and Via Calvaria

Since 1993, the Magyarpolány Passion Play has been staged outdoors by village residents and members of the local community. Local participation shapes the character of this recurring tradition. If you are interested in performing arts, the Passion Play offers a different perspective on Magyarpolány than its architecture and the exhibits at the Tájház.

Hiking is another documented feature of the area: Via Calvaria connects the Calvary Hills of 14 towns and villages, one of which is in Magyarpolány. The hiking trail is under development. This means Calvary Hill can be considered not only a site of architectural and cultural heritage, but also part of a route connecting several Calvary Hills.

Magyarpolány in the wider Balaton - North destination

The wider Balaton - North destination offers additional attractions with a different character. Boat trips are available in the Tapolcai-tavasbarlang, which also has a guided exhibition, “Csodálatos karszt” (“Wonderful Karst”). The cave is part of an underground cave system beneath the town, of which 14.6 kilometres have been explored so far. Hegyestű is a 337-metre-high mountain between Zánka and Monoszló. The inner side of a basalt volcano that was active around eight million years ago is exposed there. These examples from the wider destination provide a geological focus alongside Magyarpolány’s churches, historic houses and cultural traditions.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Magyarpolány, you can start by considering what you would like your stay to focus on: sacred architecture and Calvary Hill, the village’s rural history, or the Passion Play. If you would like to broaden the scope of your trip, the explicitly named wider destination of Balaton - North offers additional contrasts. This way, you can choose where to stay based on the experiences that interest you most.

Discover more destinations: Úrkút, Nagyalásony, Halimba, Somlószőlős, Városlőd, Kislőd, Ajka, Somlóvásárhely.

See the wider travel overview: Ajkai.