Attractions of Zamárdi
Zamárdi Great Beach
Zamárdi, Margó Ede Promenade
Zamárdi is one of the most easily accessible resorts on the southern shore of Lake Balaton.
Its special attraction is a several-kilometer-long free beach, ideal for families with children. Along its 10 km shoreline, there are several smaller and larger beaches available free of charge, equipped with restrooms, changing cabins, food and beverage outlets, playgrounds, and rental services.
Among them, the most notable is the so-called "Great Beach" (Margó Ede Promenade), a 3 km long, continuous, grassy, and shaded free beach that offers a magnificent view of the Tihany Peninsula. From the end of June to the end of August, a free first aid station and a lifeguard service, with a center on Bácskai Street, ensure the safety of bathers. Here is also a harbor suitable for receiving boats and sailboats.
In recent years, the beach has earned the Blue Flag certification for its excellent water quality.
At the end of the streets leading toward Lake Balaton, smaller beaches await visitors, among which the Jegenye and Orgona squares, as well as Táncsics Street, should be highlighted.
Lido Beach (at the end of Kilátó Street) is ideal for families with young children, as it is a small bay with a sandy shoreline.
Beach access is free throughout Zamárdi! For those who enjoy active recreation, a variety of sports opportunities are available both in the water and onshore, such as surfing, boating, pedal boating, fishing, beach volleyball, tennis, football, go-karting, mini-golf, and cycling.
The beaches also host various events. From mid-July, on weekends, a children's playhouse entertains the little ones at different locations each week. The city's main event square is located at the end of Kossuth Street, next to the free beach.
Why is summer and beach time at Lake Balaton in Zamárdi so enjoyable?
Because the environment, water, and climate combine in a unique way, providing a wonderful experience and refreshment.
The Water
Freshwater that does not sting the eyes and is less irritating to sensitive skin. It deepens gradually, allowing children and non-swimmers ample space near the shore (30-40 cm shallow). Due to its shallowness, the water warms up pleasantly to 22-25°C. Its chemical composition has beneficial effects on the body. The gentle waves are soothing and relaxing. Its color changes and varies, reflecting the sky and the shades of the lakebed depending on the strength of the waves.
The Climate
Zamárdi is one of the sunniest areas of Lake Balaton, with over 2,000 hours of sunshine annually, providing a favorable amount of sunlight during summer. The air's optimal humidity and frequent breezes make even the hottest days more pleasant, making it ideal for sailing and windsurfing.
The Environment
The well-maintained grass, beautiful panorama, excellent services, hiking and local excursion opportunities, and interesting sights all contribute to relaxation, regeneration, and refreshment.
Multiple restrooms, shower facilities, 33 double and 6 accessible changing cabins, 55 access stairs and ramps, and several playgrounds are available for visitors.
Restrooms on the Great Beach:
At the end of Kossuth Street, on the beach (with showers)
At the end of Bácskai Street, on the beach
At the end of Kecskeméti Street, on the beach
At the end of Zöldfa Street, on the beach (with showers)
At the end of Harcsa Street, on the beach
Zamárdi, Kilátó dűlő
Zamárdi, Kilátó dűlő Built to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the founding of the Hungarian state, based on an idea by István Simándi, designed by Gábor Szentkút Kiss, and approved by Botond Völgyi. Constructed by local builder József Fekete. The inscription on the lookout reads: "Built for the 1000th anniversary of our statehood by the residents and vacation homeowners of Zamárdi, 1000-2000." The tower was inaugurated during the ceremonial handover of the millennium flag, with the speech given by Mayor Jenőné Kiss. Situated at one of Zamárdi’s highest points, the lookout offers a breathtaking panorama, almost covering the entire lake. Due to its shape and integration into the landscape, it is considered one of the most beautiful lookouts around Lake Balaton!
Szamárkő
(or in medieval times, Devil’s Rock, Jesus’ Step)
Zamárdi, Római Road One of the stones found in a small forest. According to legend, the footprint-like marks on the rock belong to Jesus, his donkey, and Saint Joseph’s staff. Other theories claim the stone was thrown here by the Tihany volcano or left by the Great Flood. According to geologists, these stones formed naturally due to volcanic activity. Regardless of the mythological, historical, or scientific explanation, this location remains a sacred site.
House of waters adventure park
- Zamárdi, Vadkacsa u. (DRV telep mellett)
- vizekhaza@drv.hu
- Vízek háza
- +36 30 321 8358
An interactive water-themed playground where visitors can activate fountains by pedaling, operate sluices, and build water pipelines.
The exhibition hall provides information on Lake Balaton, its watershed, drinking water supply, and wastewater treatment through colorful illustrations and interactive displays.
Visitors can also explore a nature trail in the nearby Töreki nature reserve.
Village museum
Zamárdi, Fő u.83.
Group bookings:
- +36 84 345 290
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Monday – closed.
Ticket: adult: 200 HUF, student, group (min. 15 people): 150 HUF
Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children): 500 UF
Young children: Free up to 6 years old.
As a witness to the old houses of the Main Street, it has been preserved in such a way that the municipality purchased it in 1974, and in 1975 the National Monument Protection Authority restored it in its original form. The house was built in 1847 by Benedek Friesz. The date is still readable, carved into the main beam of the first room. (The Friesz family was one of the serf families settled here by Ágoston Lécs, the abbot of Tihany.) The house is a characteristic Balaton-style house with a columned porch. Its walls are 80-100 cm thick, made with a swallow nest brick pattern, and earth was used as a binding material. An archaic feature is that every room opens separately from the porch. The local heritage house opened in 1977. Unfortunately, it does not contain the old Zamárdi artifacts collected under the guidance of local historian teacher Dezső Piller; those were permanently transferred to Kaposvár for “restoration.” Instead, the furnishings consist of other period-appropriate external Somogy County items from the Somogy County Museum that are not from Zamárdi. In its second room, various thematic temporary exhibitions are displayed during the summer. From 2025 onward, it will be the location of the Csupa Szív collection.
The former smoky kitchen’s highlight is the open chimney, which collected and largely channeled the room’s smoke outside. (The stoves in the two rooms were also heated from this kitchen.) The fourth room of the house was arranged as a stable by the museologists, but as in other Hungarian villages, the stable was a separate building, not a neighbor to the room. The property included a stable, pens, a manure heap, a vegetable garden, an orchard, and a cabbage patch. The properties on the northern side of the street extended down to the lakeside reeds before the railway was built. The street fence evokes the 19th century.
World War Museum
A private collection featuring relics from World War I and II.
Churches, chapels, and sacred sites
CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY Zamárdi, Fő u. 22.
The settlement of Zamárdi, located along the shores of Lake Balaton, was re-established in 1740-41 under the initiative of Abbot Villebald Grassó of Tihany and the dedicated efforts of his successor, Ágoston Lécs. The first inhabitants initially only had a belfry to mark the beginning of festive ceremonies, the mystery of transubstantiation, the passage of time, death, and other extraordinary events. The construction of our present parish church is attributed to Abbot Sámuel Vajda. The building process began in 1771, and the church was consecrated on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1774. Since then, this day has been both the official feast and pilgrimage day of Zamárdi. The patroness of the town is therefore the Virgin Mary, Queen of Angels, but our church also honors Saint Joseph and Saint John the Baptist, whose statues can be seen on the altar. The altar itself was crafted by György Lingzer, a painter from Székesfehérvár, and the altarpiece depicts the birth of the Virgin Mary. Above the pulpit, there is a statue of Saint Michael the Archangel wielding a flaming sword, all of which were blessed in 1779. Notable artifacts include the baptismal font and the painting of Saint Wendelin above the sacristy door, which portrays the saint as a royal-born shepherd praying near the loess hills of Zamárdi, with a stylized depiction of Tihany Abbey and a portion of Badacsony in the background. This painting was likely the votive altarpiece of Saint Wendelin.
As for the origins of this dedication: in 1755, a devastating cattle plague struck the village, resulting in the death of 188 cattle, reportedly due to an infected stray dog. Many draft animals also perished. From that point on, the people of Zamárdi observed Saint Wendelin’s feast day as a votive holiday, refraining from using their animals for labor until the socialist era.
The church tower, originally covered with wooden shingles, burned down in 1905 due to a fire that started in the neighboring cantor’s residence, melting the bells. New bells were cast under the direction of Abbot Ciprián Halbik of Tihany, but in 1944, the largest bell was requisitioned by the Arrow Cross authorities for wartime purposes. A new large bell was acquired in 2006 thanks to the dedicated efforts of Father György Kocsi and the generous donation of property owner József Vona from Környe, along with contributions from parishioners. This bell, weighing 625 kg, was cast in the workshop of Miklós Gombos in Őrbottyán and was blessed by Bishop Béla Balás of Kaposvár on August 20, 2006. Since 1999, the church has also been equipped with a tower clock. Until 1951—when religious orders were forcibly dissolved for the second time—the parish and church of Zamárdi were cared for by the Benedictine monks of Tihany Abbey, under the jurisdiction of the Archabbey of Pannonhalma. From 1951 to 1993, it belonged to the Diocese of Veszprém, and since then, it has been part of the newly established Diocese of Kaposvár.
The Parish Church Organ
The first organ, installed in 1786, remained in use until early December 1944, when a unit of the Red Army turned the church tower into an artillery observation post and dismantled and burned the organ for firewood, in the so-called greater glory of Soviet ideology. The baroque church was finally granted a worthy organ in 2010, thanks to the persistent efforts of Father György Kocsi. The instrument was built in 2009 by the Pécs Organ Manufacturing Workshop in collaboration with world-renowned French organ builder Bertrand Cattiaux. The organ weighs 2,340 kg, features a slider chest mechanism, and has a fully mechanical playing and registration system. It contains 1,030 pipes: 37 facade pipes, 820 internal tin pipes, 63 wooden pipes, and 110 reed pipes. It is tuned to 415 Hz at 18°C. The Zamárdi organ is the first French Baroque organ in Hungary and Central Europe, suitable for performing both French and German compositions. The instrument was blessed on June 27, 2010, by retired Bishop Nándor Takács of Székesfehérvár, on the Feast of Saint Ladislaus. The inaugural concert featured performances by professors of the Liszt Academy of Music: István Ruppert, László Fassang, János Pálúr, and organist Péter Kováts. Since then, professors, artists, and aspiring musicians have come to play the instrument, spreading its renown across Europe.
STATUE OF SAINT JOHN OF NEPOMUK Zamárdi, Fő u. 22. (Behind the Parish Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
This historic statue, located immediately east of the parish church along the roadside, was once a site for May devotions. The exact date of its construction is unknown, but local tradition associates it with the town’s re-establishment. One notable historical event tied to the statue took place in September 1848, when Croatian soldiers resting in the area slaughtered a requisitioned ox and roasted it nearby, chanting in Hungarian: "Hungary is a little paradise; the day after tomorrow, it will be ours!" Although Ban Jellačić’s troops were mistaken about their imminent victory, this ominous prophecy was, in a way, fulfilled in 1920 with the tragic consequences of the Treaty of Trianon.
HOLIDAY RESORT CHAPEL Zamárdi, Petőfi u.
During the 1920s, the rise of summer tourism and villa construction in the northern resort area, beyond the railway tracks, led to the idea of building a chapel. This initiative was largely driven by Professor Győző Purebl, a city councilor of Budapest and an honorary citizen of Zamárdi. Thanks to his efforts, the chapel—once referred to by the newspaper New Man as the "pearl of holiday chapels"—was completed and consecrated on August 15, 1929, by Bishop Nándor Rott of Veszprém, dedicated to Our Lady, Patroness of Hungary. Above the chapel’s entrance and inside, the high-quality sculptures of artist Ede Margó help foster the devotion of worshippers. In 1989, on the 50th anniversary of their arrival in Hungary, Polish refugees who had initially settled in Zamárdi and later Balatonboglár presented a replica of the revered Black Madonna of Częstochowa as a token of gratitude. This sacred image is displayed within the chapel. Due to increasing attendance during the summer season, Father György Kocsi decided to create an outdoor liturgical space within the chapel grounds, completed in 2003 based on designs by architect János Ripszám. The space accommodates 350 worshippers, and its altar, adorned with a mosaic symbolizing the multiplication of loaves and a fishing net motif, was crafted by goldsmith artist András Albert. A bronze Madonna relief by sculptor Hargita Mecseki adorns the cantor’s residence façade.
CHAPEL OF HEROES Zamárdi, Egry Street (near the old cemetery)
Built in Neo-Byzantine style in 1929 at the initiative of Benedictine parish priest Benno Laki, the chapel stands on the so-called Calvary Hill at the northeastern corner of the old cemetery. (Zamárdi’s open-air Calvary used to be along the sunken road leading to the cemetery.) The design of the chapel is credited to Viktor Gecse. The patriotic Benno Laki envisioned a sacred building to honor the memory of soldiers from Zamárdi, Szántód, and Tóköz who fell on various battlefields during World War I, with Christ on the facade drawing the fallen toward Him. He did not live to see the consecration of the small round chapel in 1934, only to find his eternal rest there; his grave lies in the center, opposite the entrance. In front of it, the symbolic Golgotha rises, with the striking whiteness of its statues: the Crucified Redeemer and the two thieves. On either side, the names of Zamárdi’s heroes are inscribed in golden letters on marble plaques: 41 names from World War I and 38 from World War II. Between the two world wars, it was a cherished tradition that on Heroes’ Sunday, the entire community gathered here for a grand mass in memory of the fallen. Today, due to heavy railway and road traffic, no mass is held here on Heroes’ Sunday, but a commemorative event is still organized annually after the church service. This is arranged by school director Péter Tarr, and the names of the heroes are always read out.
PUBLIC CROSSES OF ZAMÁRDI
In front of the parish church, there has stood a crucifix since 1862, crafted by stone mason Máté Polácsek.
The Stone Hill Cross, also from 1862, replaced a wooden cross that had been there since 1777. Inscription: "To the Glory of God, 1862." (Cross Hill)
The Horváth Cross on Main Street dates back to 1855 and once marked the eastern edge of the village, opposite Horváth Lane leading to Route 7. (Named after the Horváth House it once stood in front of.)
The cross at the corner of Dózsa György Street and József Attila Street was erected in the early 1930s by a World War I pilot, giving thanks for his safe return from the front.
The so-called Red Cross, made of Almádi red sandstone, was erected in 1897 at the corner of Main Street and Szélescsapás Street. Funded by public donations, it was a meeting and farewell point for pilgrims traveling to Andocs. Its installation was initiated by the Rosary Society.
The White Cross in Katykó-dűlő was crafted by Jenő Kiss and his sons in white-painted wood, with a painted metal corpus by retired engineer Zoltán Pötl. It was blessed on July 8, 2003, by parish priest György Kocsi.
IRON CROSS Zamárdi, at the end of Tatárcsapás
Deep in the forest, at the end of a wide clearing called Tatárcsapás (Tatar Path), about 2 km from the church, stands the Iron Cross on a gentle elevation. The name Tatárcsapás preserves the memory of the Crimean Tatar force that destroyed medieval Zamárdi; they passed through this very clearing. The inscription on the cross reads: "In memory of the 100-year-old Homeland. Erected by the Municipality of Zamárdi and the Tihany Abbey, 1896." It has a brick base, and the wrought iron cross is the work of a skilled blacksmith from Kapoly. Originally, four linden trees surrounded it; today, only their scattered descendants remain. The Iron Cross is a favorite excursion spot for locals. On Epiphany, children follow the Three Kings’ footsteps here, searching for the hidden Nativity scene in the thicket. It also serves as a station for the Midsummer Night’s historical reenactment of the Hungarian conquest. Nearby, a wooden memorial post honors László Szabó, a beloved local who passed away young and was known for his love of hiking.
MEMORIAL CROSS Zamárdi, Pusztai-dűlő
South of Zamárdi, amidst orchards and fields on a hilltop in Pusztai-dűlő, stands the Memorial Cross. In the Middle Ages, several small villages belonged to Zamárdi, and the Church of Egyházas-Zamárd stood on this site. It was likely the most significant settlement among them. (The present Main Street was once the main thoroughfare of lakeside Zamárdi.) Egyházas-Zamárd was destroyed around 1594 during the Fifteen Years’ War. According to local legend, a Crimean Tatar unit serving the Turks attacked the village on Christmas Eve, setting fire to the church with the inhabitants inside. The village was completely consumed by flames. The association "For Zamárdi" erected the cross in spring 1993.
MEMORIALS & MONUMENTS
MEMORIAL TO THE CIVILIAN VICTIMS OF WORLD WAR II Zamárdi, in front of 115 Main Street
It is located just behind the statue of Saint John of Nepomuk, towards the schoolyard, beside the sidewalk. It was blessed in 2013 on Heroes’ Sunday. The organization of its creation began following a representative’s proposal and was realized through public donations. Tarr Péter, the leader of the Zamárdi Association, played a major role in its execution. The monument’s green stone was donated by Tibor Marity. The stone seems like a worldly “piece” of the mysterious water between this world and the beyond. On either side stood a deciduous willow tree (this world) and an evergreen pine (the beyond), planted thanks to the gardener engineer Pál Dula, reminding passersby of the thought inscribed on the plaque:
"They were victims of war, but became eternal witnesses of peace."
In 1944-45, 17 civilians from Zamárdi lost their lives due to the war—some were shot by Soviet occupiers, others were killed by exploding grenades or mines. Among the victims were two Jewish citizens who perished in Auschwitz during the Holocaust.
1956 MEMORIAL STONE Zamárdi, Main Street (in front of the church)
Erected in 1994 to commemorate the Hungarian Revolution and War of Independence, it stands in the square in front of the church. Every year, the city holds a wreath-laying ceremony here. The inscription reads: "1848 – ‘ ‘Be faithful to your homeland unwaveringly, oh Hungarian.’ – 1956."
MAGYAR HOUSE MEMORIAL SITE Zamárdi, at the intersection of Main Street and Honvéd Street
One of the notable houses on Main Street until 2004 was the former inn of József Magyar. Its memory is preserved by the street name Magyar House. This new street was created by demolishing the house, continuing Honvéd Street towards Rétföldi Street. József Magyar opened the inn in 1914. Between the two world wars, it also served as a guesthouse with a few rooms. According to tradition, its guests included Ferenc Molnár, Sári Fedák, Hanna Honthy, Nusi Somogyi, Margit Dayka, Ilka Pálmai, and Pongrác Kacsóh. During the socialist decades, the inn became a “people’s store,” and later the local public works department’s warehouse. In 2011, the town commemorated the former inn following an idea that arose during an ad hoc conversation between a council member and the mayor. Descendants also attended the unveiling of the memorial plaque. Today, a stylized simple table with a wine flask and a chair remind passersby of the good old days and the grape arbor recalls the fine Zamárdi wine.
SCHOOL WALL Zamárdi, Fő u. 115.
In 2016, the elementary school received a new fence following a proposal by a local representative. On the outer wall of the fence, there are five niches depicting key events in the history of the village. 1st niche: The name variations of the settlement from Scamard to Zamárdi. 2nd niche: An imagined portrait of Baján, the prince of the Avar Khaganate. 3rd niche: A short biography of Grasso Vilebárd, the abbot of Tihany. 4th niche: A portrait of Lécs Ágoston, the abbot of Tihany. (These two abbots played leading roles in the rebirth of Zamárdi.) 5th niche: The key to the city, as Zamárdi became a city in 2008.
On the inner side of the school, the handprints and personal symbols of the graduating students can be seen. Every year, with the help of teacher Éva Bodrogi, the current 8th-grade students can create these imprints themselves. The departing students thus leave a memento for their school successors.
MILLENNIUM MEMORIAL Zamárdi, the intersection of Fő u. and Szélescsapás u.
It stands at the western end of the village. In 1995, the municipal council formed a committee to appropriately celebrate the 1100th anniversary of the Hungarian conquest. Most of the organizing and preparatory work was undertaken by Deputy Mayor János Perjési and István Simándi, then president of the Association for Zamárdi. The sculptor Tibor Szervátiusz was commissioned to create the memorial, and he personally chose the stone from the Süttő quarry. The unveiling of the memorial took place on August 19, 1996. The celebratory speech was delivered by Gyula Fekete, a writer and recipient of the József Attila Award. The inscription on the stone reads: "Our ancestors you brought to the holy peaks of the Carpathians / By you gained the beautiful homeland, the blood of Bendegúz / Where the waves of the Tisza and Danube roar / The heroic offspring of Árpád made it flourish." The inscription is a stone-engraved copy of the halo artifact depicting the Turul bird from Rakamaz. The Turul “comes to life” especially at summer twilight when the low sun rays coming from the direction of Tihany highlight its silhouette. Since the monument’s inauguration is linked to Saint Stephen’s Day, Zamárdi has held a ceremonial commemoration here on our holy king’s day ever since. Near the monument stands the Széchenyi linden tree, which the city planted following the suggestion of a staff member of the Community House.
"On the 150th anniversary of the death of the 'Greatest Hungarian,' in 2011."
GYULA FEKETE MEMORIAL PLAQUE Zamárdi, Honvéd u.
Gyula Fekete (1922 – 2010), our outstanding writer, spent countless summers in Zamárdi, and his descendants still visit the family vacation home. The writer’s memorial plaque was erected in 2022 by the Zamárdi Berkenye Creative Circle Association, led by Anna Szakáli. Fekete Gyula’s contributions go beyond his literary works; it was on his suggestion that the child care allowance (GYED) was introduced in 1967. He also actively participated in the regime change alongside other prominent writers and poets such as Sándor Csoóri, Sándor Lezsák, István Csurka, and Gáspár Nagy.
1848 MEMORIAL PLAQUE AND MEMORIAL WOODEN POST Zamárdi, Szabadság tér
In the spring of 1998, on the 150th anniversary of the 1848 Revolution, the municipal government, following a proposal by representative Gyula Csákovics, erected a memorial plaque and a kopjafa (a carved wooden post) in honor of the 47 national guardsmen from Zamárdi. Their names were engraved on the plaque. The stone carving was done by Péter Szilágyi, and the kopjafa was carved by Pál Démuth, a teacher from Siófok. At the end of the March 15th city celebration, after the community house performances, a torchlight procession arrives here, where wreaths are laid, and the anthem "Szózat" is sung.
RÁKÓCZI MEMORIAL STONE Zamárdi, Kilátó dűlő
This memorial stone was created to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the outbreak of the Rákóczi War of Independence. Following a proposal by a local government employee, the representative Zoltán Egyed got the council to approve the plan. The memorial stone is located next to the lookout. The inscription on its plaque reads:
1703 – 2003 "The old wounds of the glorious Hungarian nation are renewed..." (II. Rákóczi Ferenc) "Cum Deo pro patria et libertate – With God, for the homeland and freedom" "The citizens of Zamárdi, drawing strength from the victims of the Rákóczi War of Independence, erected this memorial through public donations." The red sandstone is from the Balatonrendesi quarry. Its shape reminds one of the homeland, so when Zoltán Egyed and his companions saw it in the quarry, they knew it was the right choice. The unveiling ceremony took place on October 23, 2000, with the Kecskés Early Music Ensemble evoking the era of the noble prince through their music.
MEMORIAL TO THE HEROIC DEATHS OF PILOTS IN WORLD WAR II (FLYER MEMORIAL) Zamárdi, Fábián Gáspár Street, lakeshore
The idea of erecting this memorial is attributed to Peter Tarr, the school principal. His motivation stemmed from the discovery of numerous plane wrecks in Lake Balaton and its surrounding lands after the political change.. In December 1944, an Fw-190 fighter-bomber made a forced landing in Zamárdi. One of its propeller blades can be found in the Museum of World Wars, curated by Peter Tarr. A replica of this piece was created with the support of the local government and became the central motif of the memorial. Located on an artificial hill, the memorial uses two large Almádi red sandstone waves to symbolize the waves of the lake, and a propeller protruding from one of them refers to the planes and crews resting in the wave-grave. The memorial, inaugurated in 2012, was later enhanced in 2015 by five large flagpoles. Every summer, the city solemnly raises the flags of the countries whose pilots died heroically in these battles.
MEMORIAL PLAQUE ON THE WALL OF THE FORMER CAPITAL’S CHILDREN’S HOME Zamárdi, Knézits Street
This impressive building was constructed as a children's holiday home during Miklós Horthy's regency. It is located along the railway, on Knézits Street. The inscription on the plaque reads: "In this building, from December 1939, the first Polish high school and lyceum in Hungary operated, providing educational opportunities, a home, and protection to young Poles who were expelled from their homeland by the German fascists. This plaque was erected in gratitude and respect to the residents of Zamárdi, in the spirit of Hungarian-Polish friendship, by the Polish Information and Cultural Center in Budapest and the Patriotic People's Front of Somogy County. September 1980." The date shows that at the time, it was not possible to write the full historical truth, such as the fact that the eastern part of Poland was also occupied by the Soviets during this period—reminiscent of the Katyn massacre. In 2009, a beautiful ceremony was held to commemorate this chapter of Polish-Hungarian shared history, attended by the Polish Ambassador to Hungary. It was revealed to younger generations that the Polish students who graduated in Zamárdi rushed to the African front after their exams and fought against the Germans as allies of the British. Many of them died heroically either there or in Italy, never seeing their homeland again. Polish-language secondary education and graduation in Zamárdi and Balatonboglár was unique in Europe during those difficult years. Count János Esterházy, a white martyr for three nations—Hungarian, Slovak, and Polish—also supported it financially.
USTRZYKI DOLNE – ZAMÁRDI / POLISH-HUNGARIAN MEMORIAL
Since 2010, Zamárdi has had a sister city relationship with Ustrzyki Dolne, a small town at the foot of the Beskids. As a symbol of this alliance, a memorial dedicated to Polish-Hungarian friendship was unveiled on September 27, 2019, , in Jegenye Square, opposite Malsch Park. At the ceremony, speeches were given by Mayor Gyula Csákovics, Jerzy Snopek, the Polish Ambassador to Hungary, and Michal Wnuk, Deputy Mayor of Ustrzyki Dolne. The concept and iconography of the memorial were developed by a local government representative, and the design work was by Gábor Szentkuti Kiss. The contractor was Fecske Kft. The memorial visually represents the shared fate and brotherhood of the two nations through the ancient myth of common oak trees, with names and place names such as Kraków, Buda, Czestochowa, Saint Ladislaus, Saint Kinga, Saint Hedwig, Stephen Báthory, József Bem, Saint Pope John Paul II, and Count Esterházy. The memorial was consecrated by Father György Kocsi. In the surrounding small park, a sapling oak tree was donated by the sister city delegation.
SZÉKELYVÉCKE MEMORIAL POLE Zamárdi-felső, Jegenye tér
Thanks primarily to the dedication of Mrs. Imréné Kalmár, a retired teacher, Székelyvécke has been a sister settlement to our town since 1996, first informally and then legally. To commemorate this partnership, and following the suggestion of a council member, a memorial pole was unveiled in 2023. It is a replica of the kopjafa located in the center of the Marosszék village. The creator is László Huszár, a woodcarver from Balatonendréd.
GENDARMERIE MEMORIAL ON THE 7TH ROAD
The memorial was first inaugurated on November 1, 1930, in a solemn ceremony. The obelisk was erected by comrades in memory of Gendarmerie Lieutenant Colonel Flórián Réti, who was murdered in 1929 at the border of Zamárdi. After World War II, it was torn down and buried. Eventually, thanks to János Tarr (who remembered the original location), Peter Tarr, the school principal, and Béla Schwarcz, a local representative, found the foundation and the lower part of the memorial. During a railway renovation, the obelisk was unearthed. Its restoration took a year and a half and required extensive local cooperation. The middle section was missing, so it was re-carved based on period photographs. The memorial was re-inaugurated in 2016, with Father György Kocsi blessing the obelisk. Peter Tarr gave a welcoming speech, and the Hungarian Military Taps was played to conclude the ceremony. According to Béla Schwarcz, it is important that the monument was found and restored to its original location, since at its inauguration in 1930, Captain Sándor Haida of the gendarmerie asked the Zamárdi authorities to take the monument under their care, to which Gyula Halász, the then district clerk, also promised. According to the summary by Péter Tarr: This stone not only commemorates Flórián Réti and his gendarmerie comrades but also represents the perseverance, willpower, and solidarity of the people of Zamárdi.
PUBLIC SCULPTURES, PARKS
Hungarian Pain Memorial Zamárdi, Szabadság Square
The Hungarian Pain Memorial was donated to the village by sculptor Ede Margó (1872-1946) in 1927 as a symbol of his sorrow over the Treaty of Trianon. The figure of a muscular man struggling in a stormy boat represents the pain, loneliness, and desperate struggle of Hungary. Due to its message, the memorial went through a turbulent fate for many years. First boarded up, then pushed aside in a warehouse, it waited in poor conditions to be placed in its proper location. After 1956, it was returned to the public square, though with a different inscription: "Towards the other shore," ," which might have suggested that resurrection and renewal would never come. In 1991, in response to the strong wishes of the local community, the original inscription was reinstated, and the statue was restored. In 1994, it was placed in its current location in Szabadság Square. On June 4th, the village holds its Trianon commemoration at this site, where the expression of pain is transformed into a belief in the resurrection of Hungary, akin to the transition from Good Friday to Easter Sunday. Thus, it has become a place of national unity. In front of the statue, there are flowerbeds made of stones from various parts of the Carpathian Basin, with a small plaque indicating their origins.
MARGÓ EDE STATUE Zamárdi, Margó Ede Promenade
The Zamárdi Local Government planned to create small spaces along the lakeside promenade. The first of these was the Balaton Szíve (Heart of Balaton) Square. Due to its success, the Zamárdi Friends Circle took on the task of designing Margó Ede Square. They commissioned Gábor Szentkuti Kiss to design the space, aiming to make it similar in form and atmosphere to Balaton Szíve Square. Margó György offered his grandfather's portrait statue, which was cast in bronze. The square was inaugurated in June 2017 as part of the opening of the season. Margó Ede (1872-1946) was a two-home resident who was just as attached to Zamárdi as to Budapest. SHis statues can be found in several cities in Hungary and abroad. His talent is praised in works such as the Dankó Pista statue in Szeged, the Kossuth statue in Arad (removed by the Romanians), and the Ferdinand King statue in Heroes’ Square (which was removed during the Rákosi era). As a lover of Lake Balaton, Margó Ede was among the first to build a summer house in the resort area, where he usually envisioned his works and creations. He purchased a plot of land and built a holiday home at the beginning of Széchenyi Street in 1913.
OUR LADY STATUE AT THE LAKESIDE Zamárdi, Fábián Gáspár Street, lakeshore
The idea, financing, and execution of this statue were led by entrepreneur László Havancsák. The figure of the Virgin Mary was carved from Carrara marble by sculptor Attila Mészáros. The niche and small area were designed by architect-engineer János Ripszám, who won the Ybl Prize. The decoration of the niche was done by specialists from the Pécs Zsolnay Manufactory. The cross was made and donated by local entrepreneur Imre Elter. The area was donated for this noble purpose by the Zamárdi Municipal Assembly and Mayor Gyula Csákovics. The artwork was unveiled by Mayor Csákovics and Father György Kocsi, and consecrated by Bishop László Varga on Easter Monday in 2022. Starting from the chapel in the resort area, the faithful walked in a procession to the statue for its consecration, following the Cross of Resurrection of the Carpathian Basin. The statue of the Virgin Mary, gazing towards the Tihany Abbey, is a special symbol that connects the village with the opposite shore, its former owners, mentors, and pastors, standing as an eternal sign of the heavenly and earthly.
WALL OF FILMMAKERS Zamárdi, Kossuth Street 14
The Wall of Filmmakers was unveiled in 2013, marking the 5th anniversary of the town's city status. The idea was conceived by Mayor Gyula Csákovics. The original concept was to preserve the handprints of filmmakers connected to Zamárdi or Lake Balaton on the exterior wall of the Kertmozi (Garden Cinema). However, over time, this requirement became less important, and the town now aims to showcase the handprints of as many notable figures as possible. New handprints are typically unveiled in a ceremonial atmosphere, often with the presence of the artists themselves. The artistic execution of the wall was done by sculptor and graphic artist Hargita Mecseki. Our Garden Cinema has been serving the residents and summer guests since 1933, although the first location was next to the post office, in a parking area.
HEART OF LAKE BALATON SQUARE Zamárdi, End of Eötvös Street, Lake Balaton
The name of the square refers to the Heart shape created each year during the "Balatoni Játszadalom" (Balaton Playtime) event, in which hundreds or even thousands of people form a human chain in the water. The designer, Gábor Szentkúti Kiss, was inspired by this idea. The reddish color of the stone of the statue base aligns well with the heart theme, and the basalt paving stones were deliberately chosen because they are a characteristic natural resource of the Balaton region. The scenic lakeside area was created by Gál Ferenc’s company, who also carved the statue. The Heart of Lake Balaton Square quickly became popular: people take photographs, and even photograph each other through the heart, watch the sunset through it, and weddings have been held here as well.
LOVERS' BRIDGE – Near Heart of Lake Balaton Square
A new version of a Balaton legend was revived near the Heart of Lake Balaton Square by the Community House. The brick bridge next to the square, known as the "Lovers' Bridge," has been in place since 2016 and is meant to strengthen the bond between lovers and spouses. Here, the tradition is not to "lock" a padlock, but to follow this ritual: Stand on the red stone in front of the bridge! Walk hand in hand across the bridge to the Heart of Lake Balaton statue! If you pledge loyalty to each other, the man should stand on the eastern side of the statue, and the woman should stand on the western side! Touch the heart statue with your palms and kiss each other while doing so! This is how you confirm your loyalty to one another! If you pledge eternal loyalty, the woman should extend her hand to her future husband across the heart statue! May God bless your life together!
MALSCH PARK Zamárdi-Felső, Intersection of Jegenye Square and Dessewffy Street
Since 2001, Zamárdi has had a sister city relationship with Malsch, a small town in Baden-Württemberg. The agreement was signed by Mayors Jenőné Kiss and Werner Knopf. The alliance of the two towns is symbolized by the Malsch Park, located in Jegenye Square, and the street leading to it, which has been named Malsch Street since 2012. The monument, created by sculptor István Lengyel, displays the coats of arms of both cities surrounded by grapevine leaves, reflecting the long-standing wine culture of both towns. During the square’s opening ceremony, speeches were delivered by Werner Knopf, the mayor of Malsch, and Gyula Csákovics, the mayor of Zamárdi.
HEALTH GARDEN Zamárdi, Honvéd Street
A representative proposed in 2018 that the garden surrounding the medical offices and guesthouse be turned into a public park, serving as a functional space that would also enhance the city's tourism offerings. After the council’s decision, locals, including Attila Hirschmann, Zsolt Fontányi, and members of the Health Guardian Association, dreamed up and created the Health Garden with the help of the local Gamesz. The garden’s distinctive atmosphere is given by László Huszár's carved wooden gates and posts, with small plaques by Kata Kasza, and the Tree of Life ceramics by artist Éva Bodrogi. The various stations in the garden convey messages about maintaining physical and mental health, and a small herb garden is also available for visitors. The Health Garden was officially opened to the public during Pentecost in 2018.
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