Rolling hills and warm waters define Zala. It is a county of deep green forests and hidden spas. You will find a park or a pool around every bend. **It is the ultimate region for relaxation.** The mist often hangs over the valleys in the early morning. You will find that the roads curve gently through the ancient beech woods. **Hévíz** has the largest natural thermal lake in the world. You can float among the water lilies even in winter. The steam rises off the warm water like a dream. It is a unique experience for any traveler. The water is deep, blue and full of healing minerals. You can feel your muscles relax as soon as you step into the lake. Explore the **Göcsej** region to see old wooden farmhouses. The hills are steep and the woods are thick. It is a great place for a slow drive through nature. This county is a balm for the spirit. You will find that the green color of the hills stays with you. The local pumpkin seed oil is a dark treasure you must try.

Zala highlights

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The Scenic Route

The Heritage Drive

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History of Zala

Zala is the county of **Morning Mist and Hidden Fire**, where the steepest green hills in the country hide a prehistoric warmth. In the middle ages, this was the End of the World, a rugged frontier of thick forests and bogs that even the greatest armies struggled to cross. The local people lived in scattered settlements on the hilltops to keep an eye on the valleys, creating a unique way of life that relied on the timber of the woods. This quiet defensive history is the soul of the **Southwest Hungary hill drive**. The region fortune changed in the 1700s when the **Festetics family** built one of the most grand palaces in Europe on the shores of the lake. They did not just build a home; they founded **the first agricultural college in the world** and a massive library that became a lighthouse of knowledge. They also discovered the **Lake of Fire at Hévíz** (a giant natural hot lake) where water lilies float on water that stays warm even in the middle of winter. This era turned the wild hills into a place of science and luxury. The 1930s added a layer of industrial mystery when oil was discovered deep under the green hills, leading to the creation of **Bázakerettye** (a town built in the middle of the woods) that looked like a slice of America. Today, the oil derricks are mostly silent, replaced by thermal spas and quiet vineyards. You can visit a white **Buddhist peace stupa** on a misty hilltop or explore a forest of **seven hundred year old chestnuts**.

Zala

Zala highlights

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History of Zala

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