Zalabaksa: Amber Road and Fishing Lake

Zalabaksa lies in the northern part of the Lenti Basin, 11 kilometres north of Lenti and 30 kilometres southeast of Zalaegerszeg. These distances locate the village within the Lenti Basin; Main Road 86 is another point of reference within Zalabaksa.

Location and history

The Roman Amber Road, an important military and trade route, ran along what is now the main road in Zalabaksa. The road therefore has a historical connection as well as serving as a point of reference: it is part of the history of a route used for military and trade purposes. The Kerka stream is an important watercourse in Zalabaksa and forms the boundary between the Hetés and Göcsej landscape regions. The village’s geographical setting thus brings together a named stream and a broader landscape boundary.

Kerka stream and Baksa-tó

The Baksa-tó fishing lake is in Zalabaksa, beside Main Road 86 between the Kerka and the Cupi stream. Its location can be identified by the road and the two streams. Its name also highlights a distinct feature: while the Kerka is described as an important watercourse in the village, the Baksa-tó is identified as a fishing lake. If fishing is important to your travel plans, check the specific visiting and fishing conditions in advance.

Competitions and local culture

Two competitions are held in Zalabaksa every year: a rye-straw threshing and binding competition, and a horse-drawn workhorse driving competition. They have different focuses: one centres on rye straw, while the other is about driving workhorses.

Local cultural points of interest include the grave of Kósa Annus, marked by a wrought-iron enclosure and a broken marble column. The Kézművesház opened to the public in 2007; at the time, visitors could view and buy the handicrafts on display there. If you plan to visit the house, check the current visiting options in advance.

Zala as a regional setting

Within the broader destination of Zala, the Zalai Borvidék offers its own landscape and winemaking context. It was established 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. Another facet of the destination of Zala is the Kotsy-vízimalom in Zalaszántó, where a 390-centimetre overshot waterwheel mechanism can be seen in operation. The wine-growing landscape and mill technology thus represent different regional interests that you can take into account when planning a broader trip. Another natural and cultural feature of Zala is Kis-Balaton: it is Zala’s largest body of water, strictly protected, and covers 14,745 hectares; it is also the setting of István Fekete’s classic novels Tüskevár and Téli berek.

Discover more destinations: Kerkakutas, Nemesnép, Bödeháza, Szentgyörgyvölgy, Felsőszenterzsébet, Csesztreg, Gosztola, Lenti

Return to the main travel overview: Lenti.