Sights that are definitely worth a visit in county Vas

As spring is coming, good weather and sunny days lure people out to open air. Having a free weekend, many people decide to take a trip. Some of them choose to spend their free time traveling abroad, but it should not be forgotten that our little country also has its beautiful sights.

It’s worth considering to visit county Vas, the westernmost county of Hungary. It’s a very diversified region, having plains, mountains and hilly areas too. All of its smaller and larger towns have their own natural, historical, architectural or cultural attractions.

City of Szombathely

Its administrative center, Szombathely is a town with great history, one of the oldest towns founded in Hungary. The city was established in the Roman times by emperor Claudius in 43 AD. Its establishment is due to its location besides the Amber Road, which was an ancient trade route from North Europe to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Visitors can still walk on the remaining parts of this ancient road, or more above them – the original residues are covered with plexiglass in the main hall of OTP Bank, in the main square of Szombathely. A renovated road section can be seen in the Sanctuary of Isis (Iseum), the ruins of which was discovered during excavations in the 1950’s, and which also have been recently renovated. Today it’s functioning as an archaeological workshop and warehouse, presenting temporary and permanent exhibitions. The beautiful main square of Szombathely, and its enthralling synagogue are also worth a visit, as well as its famous historical carnival held in every August.

Körmend

Batthyányi-Strattmann castle in Körmend (Photo: MTI)

County Vas is also famous for its fortresses and castles. The classicist style Batthyányi-Strattmann castle in Körmend, together with the castle park is a nice place to visit, as well as the medieval Nádasdy fortress in Sárvár, surrounded by the former moat where now lies a great park. Maybe the most beautiful medieval castle is located in Kőszeg, which has a charming old town with traditional restaurants, cobblestoned streets, and old fashioned houses. Kőszeg lies in the foothills of the Kőszeg mountain, in the valley of Gyöngyös creek.