A tiny village in Zala with a remarkable treasure
The history of Kallósd stretches all the way back to Hungary’s Árpád era. The settlement was once a royal estate belonging to the castle of Zala before passing into private ownership in the early 13th century.
The village has preserved its tiny, peaceful rural character to this day. As you arrive, your attention is almost immediately drawn to the hill rising above the surrounding landscape – and the unusual little church standing on top of it.
An almost 800-year-old round church
The present-day Saint Anne’s Round Church was built around 1260. According to historical sources, it was commissioned by Miklós, son of Karacs.
The rotunda is a rare surviving example of Romanesque church architecture. A semicircular sanctuary extends eastwards from its circular nave. Its walls were built of brick, while the interior is surprisingly small, measuring just 5.8 metres in diameter.
It is precisely this simplicity that gives the church its unique atmosphere.
Take a look inside too!
If you have the opportunity, it is well worth seeing the interior. Inside the small domed space, you will find pointed-arched seating niches, a wooden gallery and an altarpiece depicting Saint Anne, the church’s patron saint.
The bell-shaped roof visible today and the small wooden tower rising above it date from a later period.
The village disappeared – the church remained
One of the most fascinating chapters in the history of the Round Church dates back to the period of the Ottoman wars. During the 17th century, attacks in the region caused the original settlement to become depopulated.
When residents returned in the early 18th century, they rebuilt the village in a slightly different location. By then, the old church had become almost completely overgrown by vegetation. After it was rediscovered and the surrounding area cleared, the building was restored in 1740.
This also explains the unusual sight you see today: rather than standing among the houses of Kallósd, the church sits apart from the village on the cemetery hill.
Restored to its medieval form
The church was altered several times over the centuries. During the 19th century, a vestibule was added to provide more space for worshippers.
During the heritage restoration carried out between 1989 and 1993, this later addition was removed, bringing the building closer to its original, simple rotunda form.
Thanks to this restoration, the Round Church of Kallósd can now be visited as one of Hungary’s particularly well-preserved round churches from the Árpád era.
Saint Anne and the traditions of Kallósd
The church is dedicated today to Saint Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary. Religious traditions associated with the church remain part of village life, and it occasionally hosts Masses, special celebrations and cultural events.
Traditional local events in Kallósd also include church feasts and village celebrations. Dates may vary from year to year, so if you would like to combine your visit with one of these occasions, it is worth checking the village’s current programme before setting off.
A little detour that is well worth making
You do not need to plan a full day for Kallósd. That is part of its charm.
Walk up to the cemetery hill, take a closer look at the church that has stood here for more than seven centuries, pause for a while at the top and simply enjoy the silence of the Zala countryside.
Bon Villa tip: Kallósd makes a perfect stop on a driving or cycling tour through the Zala Valley. More tiny churches, chapels, villages and natural sights are hidden throughout the surrounding countryside, making it easy to create your own “Hidden Treasures of Zala” day trip.
A tiny village, an almost 800-year-old church and the silence of the rolling hills of Zala – what makes Kallósd so special is that you really don’t need anything more.
