Kaposvár (D7) After decades of living the life of a quiet little town, this fastdeveloping, neatly planned settlement in the Southern-Pannonian region is now known as the town of opportunities. It is surrounded by hills and forests and crossed by important traffic routes, and it takes its name from the castle (“vár”) which stood on the marshy ground along the River Kapos and protected the region. All that remains of the castle today are ruined fragments of masonry. Kaposvár comprises a collection of Baroque statues and public buildings designed in almost every architectural style. The former county hall is one of the most beautiful Classicist public buildings in the region and now houses an exhibition of the history and natural history of the area. The town’s central splash of colour is provided by the Erzsébet Hotel with its colourful Zsolnay tiling and the Zsolnay drinking fountain. The Baroque style Golden Lion Pharmacy (Arany Oroszlán Patika), built in 1774, was the first chemist shop, and here the world famous Hungarian artist József Rippl-Rónai worked for a time as a pharmaceutical assistant. A curious atmosphere radiates from the artist’s house, which is now a museum. The pictures hanging on the walls surround the visitor with former inhabitants of Kaposvár and with details of the eclectic villa’s furnishings. Kaposvár is also famous for its theatre, its collection of cast-iron stoves, which is considered a rarity across Europe, and the Dorottya House, where the Dorottya balls, famous throughout Hungary, are held in the ballroom at Carnival time. The town is well-known among lovers of equestrian sports; there are famous riding schools in and around it, and international championships are also held here.

Kaposvár-Kaposszentjakab (D7) The archaeological dig for the Benedictine monastery, which was founded in 1061 and once stood in Kaposszentjakab, began in 1960. The restored remains of the building, the former cloisters and the carved stonework on display there form the oldest historic construction in Kaposvár. The monastery, which stood at the foot of St. Jacob’s Hill and was abandoned sometime before the 1550s, and the buildings dating from Roman times, were falling into ruin. This historic site, recently renovated, now functions as a cultural centre. Paths steeped in atmosphere, an open-air stage, painted wooden cloisters and ancient walls await the visitor.

Szenna (D8) This is the best-known town in the Zselic, a hilly region containing one of the largest hunting forests in Hungary. In the centre of the community, visitors can see the village museum which, composed of a single street and made up of old houses and agricultural buildings, comprises a unique ethnographic collection. The church, constructed in 1785 in popular Baroque style and containing a painted coffer-work ceiling, stands at the highest point of this open-air museum and is one of the most attractive historic buildings in Somogy County.

Hencse (D8) Just 440 people live in this village which, established over six hundred years ago. It is situated on the border of the Zselic Hills and the sandy region of Inner Somogy and is known across the globe. It is primarily sought out for its holiday and golf centre, which is famous throughout Europe. Visitors can also see the palace, once belonging to the Márffy family, and the huge park around it. The park is a protected area and contains a 400-year-old yew tree, the oldest in the country.

Kaposdada (D7–8) The Zselic landscape-protection area is barely more than 10 kilometres from Kaposvár, and its tiny villages are a favourite destination for walkers and cyclists. Kaposdada is best known for its arboretum, which prides itself on its rare species of pine trees and tropical plants. The cycle route, running between the hills, brings you to a horse-riding complex, home to traditional Hungarian horseback archery and considered a rarity in Europe.