Pölöske: Lakes, Castle History and Wine Country

Pölöske combines a rich local history with lakes, vineyards and quieter landscapes. Bodies of water and islands give the area its own character; castle ruins, monuments and the history of horse breeding reveal other sides of the area. These different highlights can help you plan your trip around your interests.

Lakes and nature

The open waters of the Pölöske Lakes are dotted with larger and smaller islands. Reeds line the shores, and a marshy bog area also shapes the lakeside landscape. A variety of wild duck and goose species can often be seen at Lake Pölöske. Those particularly interested in waterscapes and birdwatching will find a different focus here from the area's historical stories.

Castle history and memorials

The history of Pölöske Castle was eventful: in 1664, after several unsuccessful sieges, the Turks captured it and set it on fire. It was soon recaptured and restored. In 1702, Leopold I ordered its demolition. Today, a dense, bushy forest grows over the remains.

The Heroes of 1664 monument commemorates the Pölöske fighters who died in battle against the Ottomans, as well as the heroes of the Zala border fortresses. Another local memorial is the war memorial in Pölöske, which bears 101 names. Together with the castle's history, these monuments give the area a distinctly historical character.

Teleki Mansion and horse breeding

Teleki Mansion is also part of Pölöske's history. The estate included two large, two-storey granaries with hipped roofs, a small chapel by the road and a large former stud farm. Horse breeding has a long history here: Count István Széchenyi founded a stud farm in 1855, and horses were also brought in from England for it.

The grounds of Teleki Mansion include a giant sequoia with branches reaching down to the ground and a slightly conical crown. This detail of the tree offers a different perspective from the history of the buildings and adds to the picture of the former estate.

Vineyards and change in the hills

Vineyards are still cultivated in Kishegy and Öreghegy. At the same time, younger generations are increasingly using the wine cellars in the hills as weekend homes. Much of the grapevine stock has been cleared, and mostly table grapes are now grown for personal use. Traditional winegrowing and changing uses thus coexist. The wine country is therefore not only part of Pölöske's landscape, but also reflects changes in everyday life.

The Sohollári Valley nearby

The Sohollári Valley lies between Bak and Pölöske, close to the destination. It is home to the Hét Vezér memorial site, with its memorial posts. Nearby stand two groups of spruce trees, around a hundred years old and under nature protection; on the other side of the road is the hunters' memorial tree.

The Sohollári Arboretum, established in 1972, lies around the hunting lodge in the valley. Its landscape includes a small ornamental lake with an island in the middle. The arboretum is also associated with a long-standing event: for years, it has hosted the central opening event of the hunting season in Zala, whose most important part is a Hubertus Mass. St Hubertus Chapel was consecrated in 2001 and built specifically for the opening of the hunting season.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Pölöske, you can first consider what you would like your trip to focus on: the lakes and their birdlife, the history of the castle and mansion, or the vineyards and hills. This gives you a practical starting point for planning your holiday without combining the area's different themes into a single itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Nagykapornak, Zalaszentmihály, Zalaigrice, Misefa.

Return to the main travel overview: Pacsai.