Nagykanizsa.
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Overview

Nagykanizsa (Croatian: Velika Kaniža, German: Großkirchen, Großkanizsa, Turkish: Kanije) is a city in Hungary in the Somogy-Zala hills, lying between the western corner of the Lake Balaton and the Croatian and Slovenian border. This pulsing border town, with its 47,000 inhabitants (2017), is the centre of the southwestern Transdanubian region. It's also the traditional transitplace of trade and tourism, heading for or arriving from the Adriatic and Italian harbours.

Understand

The name Kanizsa was first mentioned in a document in 1245. It is of Slavic origin (Knysa), and means "belonging to a prince". It refers to the fact that the region was the property of an aristocrat.

The city's oldest Roman era ruins were uncovered in the 1960s. Later, during the Middle Ages, it became one of the most important strongholds of the Hungarian Kingdom. The fortress had a significant role in the southern shield line of Hungary, keeping the whole of Western Europe safe from the attacks of the Ottoman Empire.

The city started a new phase of large-scale development in the 1860s. The railway connecting Nagykanizsa with Vienna, Budapest, and Rijeka was constructed at that time. There was rapid development in industry as well.

Tourinform Nagykanizsa. Tourist information about sights, accommodation, restaurants, programs in Nagykanizsa and its surroundings. Maps, postcards, guides and Hungary Card. Tickets for programs in Nagykanizsa. Organizing of city tours.

Get in

By train Trains are available in every two hours from Budapest-Déli pályaudvar via Székesfehérvár, Siófok and Fonyód, moving on the South Coast of the Lake Balaton. Other direct connections are: Toward the west: there are direct international trains via Gyékényes to Zagreb (Croatia) once a day. Toward the north: Szombathely via Zalaszentiván (junction point to Zalaegerszeg) in about every four hours. Toward the south: Pécs via Barcs and Szigetvár in about every four hours, and Dombóvár via Kaposvár four times a day.

By bus Buses are available four times a day from Budapest-Népliget.

By car Nagykanizsa is next to the M7 motorway between Budapest and Zagreb. Closer to the border, M70 forks off providing a connection from cities like Maribor in Slovenia and Graz in Austria.

Get around

By bus Volánbusz operates local buses in Nagykanizsa. Tickets (in 2019): in advance, from driver. Passes (in 2019): per month, semimonthly. Tickets can be purchased at the bus station (only on weekdays) and at many newsstands. Public transport map of Nagykanizsa.

Kanizsabike. Public bike rental system.

See

Erzsébet tér. This is the main square. It was named after Queen Elizabeth in 1898.

Memorial of 20th Honorary Infantry Regiment. Memorial of dead soldiers in the World War I.

Sculpture of Queen Elizabeth. It was set up in 2012.

Well of Twin Cities. It was set up in 2012.

Trinity Sculpture. It was set up in 1773.

Ironman House. It was built in baroque style by a landlord in 1850s. Its name comes from the armoured soldier standing on the facade of the building. It used to be a hardware store.

Town Hall. This is a three-storey, almost indecorated building. It was built to serve as a courthouse. Now it functions as a lawcourt and the center of local administration. It was built in 1936–1937 on the basis of Tibor Hübner and Ferenc K. Császár plans. The facade of the palace was decorated by the Hungarian coat of arms. Under it, in gold letters, is the "Housing Act" message. Since 1990 working here the Mayor's Office. In August 1992, placed on the facade a bronze and enamel municipal coat of arms.

Quarter House. This is an L-shaped, one-story, gabled building. Top of the facade is Attica closed by attica. Itshas a triple arched entrance gate. There are some arched halls, barrel-vaulted corridors. The doorway decorated with Tuscan columns and domed cap. The three-arm staircase includes Tuscan half columns and columns. It was built in the 18th century as a manor inn, and still working here until 1850s was the Green Tree inn (Zöldfa vendéglő). In 1860 transformed since then, it had been the Courthouse. It was an internment camp from 1943 to 1945. Since 1952 using to elementary school. At the doorway is a László Csány plaque, 1998 (by János Beres).

Gutmann Palace. Classicist styled merchant house. A U-shaped, one-story monument building with gable-roof. It was built around 1820. The street facade of it is closed with a triangular tympanum in middle part. In the central axis is an arched high, stone-framed gate with curb-stones so typical of merchant houses. The facade is decorated in fine simplicity. The hanging corridor of the courtyard facade leaning consoles. The ground-floor rooms ceilings are arched. The doorway part is arched and connecting to a three-arm staircase. The south wing of the main building later built to the original L-shaped building. In the second half of the 19th century this was the Gutmann merchant family residential house which was also the business headquarters of the company, office and warehouse. The Gutmann family was famous all over Europe for their forest products. From 1952 to 2000 here was one of the departments of the György Thury Museum.

House of Fine Arts (museum). This is a beautiful Neo-Classicist styled villa. It was built in the 1940s by grain trader, László Lázár. Since 1996 a picture gallery is here. The permanent exhibition is here, orientalist paintings of Erzsébet Sass Brunner and Erzsébet Brunner (mother and daughter, who found new home in India) are on continuous display also with works of the Kanizsa-born painter Istvan Z. Soós.

Hungarian Poster House (museum). It's a granary from the 18th century on the eastern side of the courtyard of the house. Its facade is topped with a tymphanon and the small stoneframed windows only slightly disrupt the evenness of the wallface. The historic origin of the iron gate is disputed. Now here is the Hungarian Poster House. Provides a steady place for poster exhibitions. The authentic rustic beams were preserved. There is a still working grain transport machinery.

Golden Deer Hotel. The famous Golden Deer Hotel and Restaurant in 1875 began to build by innkeeper György Knortzer. At the time, the Inn has worked in two buildings, in one was the hotel and the cafe and in the other building was the restaurant. The 32-room inn has become one of the most modern hotels in the region. The main guests were princes, ministers, distinguished foreigners. In the late 1930s, the "Little Deer" inn worked here, led by Janos Hary. From 1942 to 1950 led by Joseph Szever here the prestigious 'Restaurant Szever'. After the nationalization of the restaurant, for decades, worked as the Rose Garden restaurant. Today, shops can be found on the ground floor.

György Thúry Museum. Located in the oldest dwelling-house of town. It was built between 1705–1712. It was owned by the Count Batthyány-family. For the construct used the bricks of remains of the Kanizsa Castle, therefor locals mentioned as the ducal castle. Two-story baroque building with arched gate and 'kváder' stony ground level. In the courtyard of the Museum is located under the protective roof, an original Turkish Fountain, whose rectangular stone basin derived from Ottoman period's Kanizsa Castle. Exhibitions: the history of the territory from the Little Balaton’s western basin to the river Mura from Neolithic till the Middle Ages. The other part describes the region’s leading town, Nagykanizsa, focusing on its 18th century. The empire furnishings of the Black Eagle drugstore were placed in a separate room, completely restored and first opened to the public. The exhibition has been made even more enjoyable through interactive computer programs. There are shops on the street side.

Synagogue. Classicist style, erected between 1807 and 1822. It was built in a courtyard. In the middle of the last century it was extended and decorated. There is a memorial for the 3000 Jews, who died in the concentration camps of World War II. The one-storey classicist building facing the street was also owned by the Jewish Community.

Savings Bank of Southern Zala and Bazaar Yard. The Savings Bank of Southern Zala was established in 1870. Mostly it dealt with agricultural credit operations. Rebuilt in 1881 in eclectic style with a very nicely ornamented facade. This is a three-storey building. It looks to two streets. Also it has two inner courtyards. These inner courtyards were surrounded by several shops; that is why it was called the "Bazaar". Now its courtyards host music concerts in summer.

Palace of First Hungarian General Insurance Company. Here was the first General Insurance Company what is established in Nagykanizsa in 1857. The palace, built at the beginning of 19th century, is one of the nicest buildings of the town today. Its style is a mixture of secession and eclectics. On the Fő street-facade of the harmoniously coloured building, level with the attic, there is a tympan with the emblem of the Insurance Company. Going downwards from the top of the building under the playfully disegned balconies there is a sudden shift into a much more simple style.

Turul Statue. It was set up in 1933.

Memorial of 48th Infantry Regiment. Memorial of dead soldiers in the World War I. It was set up in 1934.

Palace of Savings Bank of Nagykanizsa. Built in 1870.

Grünhut House. A romanticist building. This was the house of a rich grain-merchant, banker and art-collector, Alfred Grünhunt. His flat was on the floor, the groundfloor and the courtyard accommodated an office and warehouses. Specialty of on its facade is the oriental piece above the balcony.

Roman Catholic Parish House. It used to be the Lackenbacher House. An L-shaped, one-story building. The street side is gabled, the wing of the court with half-gabled roof covered. The arched entrance gate located at eastern end of the street facade. In the middle of the facade on the second floor can be seen a wrought iron balcony with consoles. The facade decorated with plaster in romantic style. The ceilings of the ground-floor rooms are made mostly 'barrel-vault'. To the second floor a three-arm, vaulted staircase leading. Built in the 1860s by Heinrich Lackenbacher, who was that time the main food dealer of the Austrian military. From 1898 it was owned by Fülöp Grünhut grain merchant (Deák tér 2 also was his property). Since 1940 the building has operated as the parish hall of the R.C. Sacred Heart Church.

Axenti House. L-shaped, one-storey building with gabled roof. The gate is in the eastern edge's axis of the street's facade. On the south facade of the courtyard wing is the Classicist grid lines hanging corridor decorated with the builder's monogram. The rooms in the northern wing of the ground floor covered by 'carapace' and 'barrel' vaults. The upstairs rooms are mat plane ceiling. The windows are made in the second half of the 19th century and early 20th century. György Axenti, a Greek leather merchant, built in 1817. Between 1845-1872 operated on the floor was the Savings Bank of Nagykanizsa. From 1891, here was a shop of Reichenfeld Gyula wholesaler. The main facade decorated by Deák Ferenc bust (György Fischer) 1997.

Church of Felsőváros (Sacred Heart). Roman Catholic church. One of the churches in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kaposvár. Former here was a cemetery. In 1764 a chapel was built in honour of St. John of Napomuk for the Piarist Fathers. In 1824 the chapel was extended and tower was added to it. In 1942 a new church was built on its place; the tower remained untouched. The interior of the new church is very simple and light.

Bank Palace. Established in 1879 as the sub-office of the Austro-Hungarian Savings Bank. This bank is one of the oldest in Hungary. The palace was built with a splendid cupola looking onto the main square on the plans of József Hubert. It was completed in 1902-1903 in Eclectic style. Its interior bears all the features of a financial institution. This was a regional unit of the National Bank between 1924 and 1987 and of the Credit Bank (Kereskedelmi és Hitelbank) after 1987.

Bogenrieder Palace. A masterpiece of Secessions style. It is remarkable for its lively ornaments and variety of forms. It was once owned by a wealthy pharmacist.

Bayer House. A nice one-storey building built in 1903 in art nouveau style.

Medgyaszay House. The history of the "movies" in Nagykanizsa began in 1896. The building made by the architect István Medgyaszay, in 1927. The fascade fresco displays the scene from famous Hungarian plays. In 1930, after Budapest, this cinema was the second in the country in which showed sound films. The building in the mid-1990s operated as a cinema. Now it's a venue of exhibitions, theater performances, concerts and other events.

Reformed Church. Based on the plans of Vécsey Barnabas city engineer. Designed by Zoltan Kalmar. Built in Roman school style in 1934. A long simple buildings with narrow, semicircular windows. The 19-m-high rectangular tower without a helmet is on the left side of facade. The foyer located next to the tower connected with a wide, stone railing staircase. A tall narrow window and a clock can be seen on the upper part of the main facade's tower. Sanctuary from the south part with a church hall is connected. Above the entrance is the choir.

Great Hungary Monument. First erected in 1934, symbolizing the unity of Greater Hungary including places part of the country until the end of World War I. The monument was taken down and buried underground in 1952, but in the early 2000s it was dug up and restored.

17 Longitude Monument. It was set up in 1997. At this point you are almost exactly 17° east of the Greenwich Meridian, although your GPS might tell you to walk on another .

Commercial Casino. A cultural association founded in 1835. Every citizen of Kanizsa can become a member of it. In 1886, an imposing headquarters built to the membership. This is an eclectic corner building. The designer was the Viennese architect Ludwig Schöne. It was built by a local architect-contractor, Morandini. The Ceremonial Hall was the scene of countless theatrical performances and other social gatherings. Also there were a reading room, a lounge, a bowling alley, and two card-playing rooms. During World War I, used as a hospital. Later formed an exclusively club to the significant number of Nagykanizsa's Judaism community. It is now a casino for Army. A part of the original furniture preserves at the György Thúry Museum.

Church of Alsóváros (Saint Joseph) and Franciscan Monastery. The Roman Catholic Franciscan Church was built between 1702-1704, and rebuilt in 1760. Former military warehouse between 1787–1791 and 1806–1815. Tower was made in 1816. A single nave, gabled church with straight closure shrine. The Bell Tower is at the northeast corner of the church. The Friary's closed yards connected to the western and southern facade of the church. The entrance hall and chapel line attached to the eastern side of the nave. To the eastern side of the sanctuary is the foyer and the oratory. The nave, the chapel and the shrine row covered vaulted by 'Czech Loaf'. Inner part: Typically from the 18th century. The main side altars and the pulpit, around 1750-1760. The main altar, ordered by Count Lajos Batthyány Chancellor in 1747 a work from Franz Caspar Sambach. The Franciscan Monastery is a two-story building. The main part of it is a rectangular building, enclosing a courtyard. There is also an L-shaped wing. The ceiling frescos of the spacious, richly decorated dining room are destroyed, the beautiful inlaid door now can be see in the György Thúry Museum. In the summer of 1950 the monks who are living here were deported to gulag. After that, the monastery was home of the Miklós Zrínyi Boy Student Hostel later the Municipal Library moved to here. Now the building is back into Franciscan property.

Jewish Mortuary. It was built in 1883 in eclectic style.

Kanizsa Castle Historical Exhibition. There is an exhibition hall about the history of Kanizsa Castle.

Castle Gate Memorial. This is a memorial of the Kanizsa Castle, which was demolished. It was set up in 1996. There is also a sculpture of György Thury, who was the most famous captain of the castle.

Duke Joseph Barracks. It's built in 1902 for the 20th Honorary Infantry Regiment.

Observation Tower Nagykanizsa. high observation tower.

Assumption Roman Catholic Church. The church was built in 1765. Also here is the parish building is erected in the 1940s. Located on a rising ground. A free-standing, central, four-winged-shaped church. Eastern wing includes a stair tower linked to sanctuary and a square-shaped, low vestry. A 'Hussar' tower rises above the sacristy with an off-line tower helmet. In the central axis of West wing is the richly carved, gabled gate with a coat of arms of Festetics. The entrance of the vestry is with straight closure, rock ribbon framed. Over the entrance is a metal bent arched roof made. The central part of the church is domed. The wings are covered with quarter sphere vault. The new choir made in the 1960s using reinforced concrete. Murals: in the vaults figurative-symbolic painting can be see from second half of 20th century. Interior: typically 19-20th century; the benches made in the late 18th century. The altar table, Easter candle holder, baptismal font: 20th century.

Chapel Inkey. A baroque chapel, built in 1786. Next to the Inkey chapel was founded a tomb of a child in ancient chapel in the second cemetery (attached to the Roman estate, Villa Rustica).

Chapel of Förhénc. Roman Catholic Chapel. A free-standing, single-nave chapel with segmental arched closure sanctuary and on the southern facade with a tower, on the west side with a sacristy. Fragments of frescoes can be see on vault from the 1860s, and at sanctuary apse, in 1985 painted by László Takács. It was built in 1761. Renovated in 1985. In the churchyard: stone crucifix with corpus, and a niche for St. Mary Statue in 1923.

Nativity of Mary Roman Catholic Church. Built in 1744 in Baroque style. Inside the church there is a Mary-grace painted glass picture from the 17th century. Next to the church there is monastery for the Community of the Beatitudes.

Peasant houses with thatched roofs. Built in the second half of the 19th century.

Do

Boating Lake. Artificial lake and leisure park located away from the center of Nagykanizsa. It's suitable for fishing, bicycling, boating and hiking.

Kanizsa Swimming Pool and Bath. Services: swimming pool, outdoor section, Finnish sauna, infrared sauna, a Jacuzzi, massage, baby swimming, aqua fitness, fitness, swimming lessons, snack bar.

Sétakert (park). On 4 ha is the grandest park of the town. Opened in 1896 in honour of the Millennium. The first part built on farms of Kiskanizsa neighborhood. The founder, Gyula Tripammer, planted in the garden, and nursed him until his death. Since beginning of the 20th century it has been a very lively park: every Sunday Gypsy music, military music and confectionery attracted the audience. The park was named "Tripammer Garden" by Town Assembly in 1927. But the locals always called it as "Sétakert". From 1930 started to reduce the area of the park, first built there the City Bath (Strandfürdő), and later to the construction of housing project MAORT also carved out some areas. Its ornamental entrance was renovated in 2000.

Sports-ground for Everyone. A large-sized grass football pitch, a hard running track, 4 hard tennis courts, 2 small-sized turfed football pitches, an asphalted handball field and a basketball court, a volleyball court, a street-ball court.

National Doughnut Festival. In February.

KanizsaFest - City Day Nagykanizsa. In April.

Military International and National Horse Racing Qualifying Competition Nagykanizsa. In July.

Kanizsa Wine and Dödölle Festival. In September.

Buy

Csarnok Üzletház. Market hall, with 100 stalls including food and clothing. Flea market on Sundays.

Dél-Zalai Áruház. Shopping centre, including supermarket and drugstore.

Kanizsa Plaza. Shopping centre, including cinema, book store and clothes store.

Kanizsa Centrum. Shopping centre with hypermarket, post office, pharmacy, drugstore, book store, clothes store, restaurant and confectionery.

Park Center Nagykanizsa. Shopping centre with clothing and furniture shops.

Stop Shop Nagykanizsa. Shopping centre with clothing and drug stores.

Tesco Nagykanizsa. Hypermarket. Services: ATMs, meat countertop, fresh bakery products, clothing department.

Eat

Adam's Cafe. Cafe, fast food and cocktail bar.

Berényi Confectionery and Pizzeria. Confectionery, pizzeria and fast food bar.

M55 Bistro and Pizzeria. Traditional restaurant and pizzeria.

Pecsenyetanya. Food bar with local cuisine.

Piramis Fast Food Bar. Pizzeria and fast food bar.

Joy's Three. Pizzeria and fast food bar.

Keleti Pecsenyéző. Food bar, mainly sausage.

Mini Restaurant. Traditional restaurant with local cuisine.

Pálma Presszó and Pizzeria. Pizzeria.

Retro Kifőzde. Food bar with local cuisine, where you can eat many kind of soups and vegetable stews.

Centrum Burger and Pasta Bar. Fast food bar.

Kaszinó Restaurant. Traditional restaurant with local cuisine.

Placc. Traditional restaurant and pizzeria with specialties like lepény and dödölle.

Tudatos Vegán Konyha. Vegan restaurant.

Ambrózia Restaurant. Traditional restaurant.

Horváth Kert Restaurant. Traditional restaurant.

Lilla Pizzeria. Pizzeria with some traditional food.

Nono Pizzeria. Pizzeria and fast food bar.

Ping-Win Szeráj. Pizzeria and fast food bar.

Bankpalota Restaurant. Traditional restaurant and pizzeria.

Bíbor Bistro. Traditional restaurant and pizzeria.

Kis Halas Studio Restaurant. Restaurant with food made by fish.

Medgyaszay Restaurant. Traditional restaurant with local cuisine.

Robinson Pub and Pizzeria. Traditional restaurant and pizzeria with specialties like beef stew with red wine, mushroom and dödölle.

Bianka Restaurant and Pizzeria. Traditional restaurant and pizzeria.

Csányi Restaurant. Traditional restaurant with local cuisine and specialties like deer stew with dödölle.

Lorenzo Pizzeria. Traditional restaurant and pizzeria.

Maestro Restaurant and Pizzeria. Traditional restaurant and pizzeria.

Sleep

Hegyi Guesthouse. 5 rooms with WiFi, private parking.

Herkules Guesthouse. 8 rooms with TV, WiFi, bathroom and toilet.

Kertész Rózsa Guesthouse. 4 rooms with TV and WiFi.

Nyírfás Camping and Motel. 6 rooms in the motel. Services: flush toilet, Pets are allowed, hot and cold water shower, laundry facilities, electrical connection, camper drain, cooking facilities, hot and cold water sink, private parking, freezer pack-cooling, playground. Well-equipped kitchen. Horse riding, bicycle rental. 40 m² children's pool.

Pelikán Guesthouse. 5 rooms with cable TV, WiFi and private parking. Common kitchen with microwave, fridge and coffee machine.

Király Guesthouse. 9 rooms with bathroom and air conditioning. Free parking and WiFi.

Marika Guesthouse. 7 rooms with shower, toilet, TV, private car parking, WiFi.

Oázis Aparthotel. 16 rooms and 7 apartments with private bathroom, toilet, TV, fridge, air conditioning, WiFi.

Touring Hotel. 40 rooms with private shower and toilets, optional TV, common kitchen.

Ambrózia Guesthouse. 5 rooms with bathroom, shower, wash basin, toilet, WiFi, towels and sheets are provided. In the corridor fridge, freezer and microwave. Private parking, playground.

Hotel Mini. 9 rooms and apartments with TV and private bathroom.

Krisztina Guesthouse. 4 rooms with bathroom, fridge, TV, air conditioning and private parking.

Sport Hostel. 12 rooms with TV. Common fridge, bathroom and toilet.

Galéria Guesthouse. 10 rooms and apartments with kitchen. Services: WiFi, television, air condition, tub in the bath.

Hugi Guesthouse. 8 rooms with tv, air conditioning, private car parking, WiFi.

Berényi Inn. Traditional restaurant and pizzeria with local cuisine and with specialties like dödölle.

Hotel König. Traditional restaurant with local cuisine.

István Hotel and Restaurant. Traditional restaurant and pizzeria with local cuisine and specialties like dödölle (roasted potato dumplings) with sour cream.

Korona Hotel. 19 rooms with shower, toilet, sink, hair dryer, satellite TV, refrigerator, towels and WiFi. Outdoor cooking facilities, sizeable free parking next to the hotel even for buses. 24 hour reception, bar, restaurant (partially active), safe service. Conference room up to fifty people.

Platanus Restaurant and Guesthouse. 7 rooms with bathroom and WiFi. Traditional restaurant with local cuisine and specialties like beef stew with dödölle.

Régi Csárda and Guesthouse. Traditional restaurant with local cuisine.

Vineyard Inn and Szőlőskert Restaurant. 10 rooms with bathroom, air conditioning, LCD TV, WiFi. Traditional restaurant with local cuisine and specialties like wild boar stew with chanterelles, potato dumplings.