Vászoly: tranquillity and natural magic in the heart of the Hungarian countryside

The church can be seen from any point in Vászoly, and you have to cross a fabulous stone bridge to get to the entrance. The building, also known as the jewel of the village, was designed and built in the neoclassical style in the 1800’s. Within its walls, you can feel as if you have travelled back in time, as the stories and prayers of times gone by still live on. The quiet serenity of the church and its unique architectural details make this place special, as visitors can find not only religious but also cultural experiences.

One of the highlights of Vászoly is the spring, not far from the centre of the village, which offers an almost fairytale-like picture. Beautiful trees, a developed spring, a small pond and a water stage await visitors. The walk around the lake is not to be missed, with unusual sights such as a lizard den, a frog resting place and a magical little wooden bridge. At the northern end of the pond, you can walk to the spring of St. James, surrounded by a limestone wall.

The Forrás Lake and the surrounding stream are home to many species of animals, so nature lovers will find even more to enjoy. The lake’s wildlife includes flea crabs, river crabs, minnow bugs and damselflies. The advantage of the Forrás Lake is that it is fed by springs, so it doesn’t dry up in times of drought and it certainly doesn’t freeze in winter. The history of the settlement dates back to antiquity, as people already lived along the Séd stream in ancient times, and for centuries, water mills were also in operation in the settlement, and in the late 1700’s, a dam was built to create a small lake. Today’s St James’ Spring was built in 2008 by two local craftsmen, Antal Nász, a stone carver, and Attila Grim, a mason. The spring is named after St. James the Elder, who is also the patron saint of the village, and the church bears his name, too. The two shells on the socket refer to the pilgrims’ saint and are also a symbol of the Way of St. James. In fact, a branch of the St. James pilgrimage route in Hungary passes through Vászoly.

The inhabitants keep the traditions alive to this day. Fresh produce at local markets, village festivals and events all contribute to the community spirit. If you are planning a visit to the market, it is worth checking your calendar first, as producers only set up every other Saturday. The fair has several purposes, since in addition to the farmers from Vászoly and the surrounding villages, artists and craftsmen from the villages can also present their creations to the visitors. This will make your market experience truly idyllic and complete!

Vászoly is home to many talented artists. And no wonder, as the beauty and tranquillity of the village provides inspiration for local and visiting artists alike. Colourful paintings, reliefs and installations that blend in with the environment all contribute to the unique character of the village: the artists bring a different creative energy to Vászoly. Local arts events, exhibitions and workshops create opportunities for the community to celebrate and support the full spectrum of creative forms.

Vászoly is surrounded by magical glades and fields, like stepping into a painting. The silence is broken only by the melodious chirping of birds from time to time. As you walk along the hills surrounding the village, you can almost see the green clusters of grapes slowly growing in the vineyards. The peaks of the surrounding mountains offer a stunning panorama, a shield to the beauty and tranquillity of the countryside.