Bázakerettye: Forest Railway, Bath and Oil History

A forest railway runs through Bázakerettye, where the bath offers different pools and facilities alongside a history that began in 1938, and the oil industry has left its mark on the town’s architecture. These different aspects give you concrete starting points for planning your trip: when looking for a holiday apartment, you can decide how much importance to give to the bath, railway and local history.

Forest Railway and Hiking Route in the Area

Transdanubia’s longest narrow-gauge forest railway crosses the entire settlement. It is operated by Zalaerdő Rt.; trains run according to a timetable, and a special train can be ordered on request. Check the latest operating information before your trip to make sure your plans match the current timetable.

Another point of reference is the marked Rockenbauer Pál Memorial Hike, whose route passes by Bázakerettye. This distinction is useful when choosing where to stay: the railway runs through the settlement, while the hiking route passes by it. When looking for accommodation, you can therefore weigh up whether to focus mainly on the town’s amenities and history or on the hike in the surrounding area.

A Long History of Bathing

The history of the Bázakerettye bath dates back to 1938. That year, the first pool was built, and local residents immediately began using it as an outdoor swimming area. Renovations and expansions in the mid-1990s gave the bath its present form. If you are planning a visit, it is advisable to check the current opening hours.

The swimming pool measures 33 × 15 metres and has a level water surface; its depth gradually increases from 1.1 to 2.05 metres. The two thermal pools differ in both shape and temperature: the round pool is 36°C, while the heart-shaped one is 30°C. There is also a 36°C hot tub and a shallow paddling pool designed for small children. If you plan your swim according to water temperature, the six-degree difference between the two thermal pools gives you a clear point of reference.

The grounds also have a buffet serving refreshments and meals, as well as a place to store valuables; check availability before you arrive. The bath’s address is 8887 Bázakerettye, Sport út 1. The nearest bus stop is 180 metres away; check this distance locally.

Traces of the Oil Industry and Local Architectural History

The MAORT residential estate is a small neighbourhood comprising just a few streets. In the early 1940s, Magyar Amerikai Olajipari Részvénytársaság had it built on the model of American small towns. Dezső Antal designed the houses for engineers and employees in the Göcsej style. Munkásotthon is also part of this history: the company had it built on a high hill at the edge of the forest, above the residential estate for oil workers that began to take shape in 1938.

In 2024, the Bázakerettye Jövőjéért Közhasznú Alapítvány had a memorial erected in honour of the architect Dezső Antal. It stands on Sport út, the street of the former engineers’ residences. It was funded by civic and business contributions. The history of oil extraction is also covered in an exhibition by the Magyar Olajipari Múzeum: from 25 May 2001, a permanent exhibition on oil extraction in Transdanubia was on display in the building of the BT-2 measuring station in Bázakerettye. Groups are expected to register in advance; check the current visiting arrangements beforehand.

Chapel, Church and Local History

The religious buildings also link personal and local history. Tüttösy Ferenc had the Kerettye Chapel built after the death of his parents. A Latin inscription in the Szűz Mária neve Church names Töttösi László, a táblabíró (county magistrate) of Zala County: he was born in 1746 and died on 7 March 1824. Another precisely dated event in the church’s history followed on 1 January 1941, when the Bázakerettye chaplaincy was separated from the parish of Bánokszentgyörgy.

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