The market’s interesting location is the site where once, centuries ago stood one of the bastions of the Zalaegerszeg castle. Today it is marked with plain white tiles.

Local and neighbouring famers and traders sell their produce and wares Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. A flea market operates on Sundays.

The History of the Market Square

For many years, the town’s market operated on Kazinczy Square: the lively, vendor-filled fair stretched all the way to Sütő Street, bustling with hawkers and overflowing stalls. The market area that we know today situated beside Deák Square was inaugurated in October 1925, although national fairs continued to be held on Kazinczy Square until the late 1940s.

The Market Hall on Piac Square was opened in 1969; it underwent a complete renovation in 2014 as part of the city-centre rehabilitation programme. The open-air market grounds were beautified in 2011 following archaeological works.

History of the Weighing House (Mérlegház)

The Mérlegház was once one of the most emblematic features of the Zalaegerszeg market. It remained an important meeting point in local memory: while vendors queued to have their goods weighed, the spot became ideal for exchanging news and discussing the affairs of the day.

The building was constructed in the first third of the 20th century to accommodate the technical and administrative functions of the now-demolished weighbridge. It is presumed to have stood already in 1928, as in that year the present-day Mérleg Square near the intersection of Budai Nagy Antal Street and Várkör was officially recorded among public spaces. After its original function ceased in the late 1960s, the small, square-shaped building housed a shop.

This locally protected heritage building has since been nicely rebuilt and restored to its former dignity.