The
picturesque and lively Kál Basin village of Szentbékkálla is nestled in the
hills of the Balaton Uplands embraced by forests to the north and with an
open view to the south. From the church above the village looking downward
you can see the winding streets and tiled or thatched-roofed houses. The
panorama beyond the village reveals broad plains, occasional marschlands and
on a clear day you can see Lake Balaton on the horizon. In this, the heart
of the Balaton Uplands National Park, many protected animals and plants have
found their home.
On the side of the hills below the forest the vineyards begin. These
vineyards are not farmed on a mass scale but rather as small family
enterprises which the families run with competence and love to produce the
delicious white wines typical for the region. You can roam the gentle slopes
from wine cellar to wine cellar, from wine-press house to wine-press house,
and if you happen to meet an owner, he will be quick to bring out glasses
and a wine syphon and during your conversation won’t forget to fill your
glass.
In March the hills are full of blossoming pink and white almond trees.
Almonds have been cultivated here for hundreds of years and like the grapes
of the region the almonds benefit from the rich volcanic soil and abundant
sunshine which enhance their fine aroma and taste. Directly above the
village the largest almond grove comprised of more than 2000 trees is a true
flowering spectacle in the spring..
The
whitewashed houses of Szentbékkálla with their decorative plaster ornaments
preserve a centuries-old architectural tradition. The village is not a
dormant museum but a lively little community in which the children outnumber
the adults and a community with a welcoming atmosphere in which
visitors are made to feel at home. This may explain why German, English and
American citizens have chosen to live here—not just to vacation, but to make
Szentbékkálla their permanent residence.
In the summer months many visitors enjoy a relaxed vacation here. In the
village there are well-managed attractive guesthouses which offer pleasant
accommodations, even to large families. Long walks in the rolling hills
around the village or bathing in the nearby Lake Balaton are attractive
pasttimes. For cycling enthusiasts this area has much to offer. Within easy
reach are the villages of Salföld, Kékkút, Monoslo and many others. For the
very athletic cyclists a bicycle tour around the entire Lake Balaton is
possible. Safe storage of bicyles is offered by the village guesthouses.
In
autumn the vineyards come to life with the sounds of laughter and
conversation as the harvest gets underway. Many hardworking hands gather the
ripe grapes and though the work is strenuous it is also entertaining and a
time to enjoy working beside neighbors.and friends. Guests who wish to
participate are welcome to do so. The days of the harvest always include
plentiful wine and a hardy picnic. Together with Mindszentkálla, the
neighboring village, Szentbékkálla organizes a Wine Harvest Parade in the
month of September, accompanied by music, song and, of course, wine in
abundance. Guests are always invited to take part in the festivities.
Without them it would not be the same.
Come to visit us! We will do our best to make you feel welcome.