The Story of Lady Válicka and Young Göcsej

In the time of the Hungarian conquest, the Slavic people of Prince Zalán lived in this region. His daughter, Lady Válicka was the most beautiful of them all. Young Göcsej, who lived beyond the hills, admired her and longed to go near her—so he sent the breeze to caress her cheek.

One spring, the Slavic maidens danced on fresh green grass when suddenly the warriors of Chief Tas seized them. As the Hungarians celebrated their capture with a feast, a breeze lifted a strand of Lady Válicka’s hair and carried it to the ground, where by midday a weeping willow had grown. Through its drooping branches one could see the maiden’s tear-filled eyes, her tears flowing like a spring. At her feet a brook formed and began running north toward the Zala River. Tas and his warriors followed the stream with their captives, never to be seen again.

Young Göcsej often returned to the Válicka creek, mourning his lost love. He never again crossed to the eastern side and escaped into the wooded land that now bears his name—Göcsej.

Source: Zalai Nagy Lajos
Tip: Walk the blue and red sections of the Path of the Ferns to experience the landscapes of the legend.

The Story of the Picture Tree

For many decades during the 20th century, visitors to the Alsóerdő paused before a great oak bearing an image of the Virgin Mary, Patroness of the Hungarians. Legend held that a marauding Turkish troop was annihilated here by the local garrison. Over time, both the painting and its setting changed: the image was replaced several times, and the original oak was destroyed by lightning in 1962. The current painting was then placed upon a neighbouring oak, but the sacred relic remained only until the late 1970s.

Tip: Explore the Path of the Oaks where informational panels along the route commemorate the Picture Tree.

The Origin of the “Blood Mill”

The eerie name of  the site of the Blood Mill alone might lure seekers of disaster in the Zalaegerszeg Park Forest. In slave societies, certain grinding mills earned a notorious reputation as “blood mills”, a term preserved in historical literature. Though nothing remains today, a mill once operated deep within the Egerszeg forest, first mentioned in documents of the late 14th century. Its bad reputation grew when a slum existed in the now-demolished outbuildings.

The name, however, stems from the mid-20th century: the mill’s last operator was József Vér, patriarch of the Vér family. Today, the area is worth visiting for another reason: the clearing near the former mill boasts one of Hungary’s most significant and ecologically precious fields of snake’s head fritillaries. Of which tens of thousands bloom here.

Tip: The Zalaegerszeg section of the Mary Pilgrimage Route passes beside the fritillary meadow.

 The Secret of the Botfa Wooden Tractor

At the edge of Botfaone can find a curious attraction that delights families with children: a vehicle that both is and is not a tractor. A closer look reveals the shape of an MTZ tractor, standing here since 2018. Though it clatters and rattles in real/life manner, it is incapable of movement or farm work, being made from cable reels and tin cans, though its steering wheel and dashboard are real. A hand crank at the front allows visitors to start it, with the rising noise indicating when the machine has “come to life.”

Tip: As you walk toward the starting point of the Path of the Ferns, stop at the tractor on the edge of Botfa!