Medieval churches and castles

Vas County is one of the richest regions in terms of the number of castles, with 260 castles and mansions counted, many of which are located in Szombathely or its surroundings.

The roadl: Szombathely - Táplánszentkereszt - Tanakajd - Vasszécseny - Csempeszkopács - Rum - Zsennye - Püspökmolnári - Gyanógeregye - Sorkifalud - Vasszécseny - Tanakajd - Táplánszentkereszt - Szombathely

Length: 70 km

https://www.bikemap.net/en/r/7164805/#10.49/47.1595/16.7

There is no shortage of things to see, but the former buildings have now changed function. Municipally owned manor houses are typically used as retirement homes, health or educational institutions, while privately owned ones are hotels or private mansions. Sadly, there are also several empty, neglected castles waiting to be rescued from the brink of ruin.

Táplánszentkereszten has a fine collection of castles. The former Széll Castle is a venue for events under the name Villa Dolce Vita, the Draskovich Castle is a home for the elderly, and the Forest Village has been converted into apartments. The most interesting is the Rosenberg Castle, which is run as a hotel.

The neoclassical Ambrózy Castle of Tanakajd was built around 1820. Its park is now a nature reserve, thanks to its former owner, István Ambrózy Migazzi Migazzi, who was an excellent garden and arboretum builder.

The most famous sight in Vasszécseny is the Ó-Ebergényi Castle. Built on the foundations of a fortress built in the 1300s, it is said to be inhabited by ghosts. The Új-Ebergényi castle, renovated in 1985, is privately owned and specialises mainly in weddings.

The magnificent Bezerédj Castle in Rum is home to a school. Bezerédj Castle, built in the 18th century from a medieval manor house in Zsennye, has been a creative house since 1953. The Szapáry manor in Sorokpolány has been splendidly restored but is used as a private residence, which the owner occasionally opens to visitors.

The tour starts from the centre of Szombathely and travels south for 60 km, visiting more than twenty castles and touristically valuable buildings in the region, including the tomb of Széll Kálmán, the Árpád-era church of Csempeszkopács, and the monumental granary of Vasszécseny.

The tour follows a cycle path with minor interruptions until Rum, then a low-traffic, asphalt road with minimal grade differences. Recommended for families with children and beginners.