Development of Kis-Balaton for Tourism Purpose
Kis-Balaton House

Kis-Balaton House (Kis-Balaton Ház), which was opened in the year of the Millennium in Zalavár-Vársziget, looks forward to welcoming visitors, renewed and redesigned. Through exhibitions, natural values of the Kis-Balaton Water Protection System (KBWPS), its function for water quality protection of Lake Balaton are represented, as well as historical and ethnographical relations and values of the area are demonstrated.

Entering the entrance hall of the Kis-Balaton House, operation and functions of the KBWPS are displayed by an aerial photo. On the walls, giant photos, tableaux can be seen on this magical region.
The first exhibition room of the ground floor invites you to a journey in time. First you cross a wooden bridge, from which you can see graves opened up by an excavation. This is followed by the inner structure of an agricultural building from the age of Carolings. After this, in a "tower" built by stone-wall, you can get acquainted with the history and life of Zalavár of the Middle Ages. Passing through a paved archway, formation of Kis-Balaton can be followed up on maps. A diorama showing the underwater life of the Kis-Balaton has got a place here too. In the separated review room, films being about water living creatures also enrich the scenery. Coming out of "diving", you can get to know the particular tools and objects of reedy life. Paintings of István Szkok, being full of feeling, bring back the natural world where also "Tüskevár" took place written by, a well-known author of the natural and books for the young, István Fekete. Uncle Matula’s stylized hut and showing film pieces, based on the book, raise a monument to the memory of this, too." Under the shroud of darkness" you can familiarize with the lights, sounds and smells of the swamp.

In the other room of this level you can learn more about the Water Protection System. Alluviation of different types of water is demonstrated in glass cylinders on the built stage, through the "peep holes", however, world of water living beings which can be seen only under microscopes appears to view. Visitors can discover the marvelous world of Kis-Balaton as a living picture on their own, sitting in an "anchoring" boat by means of web cameras and by their control, in a boggy-reedy environment that is so characteristic of the area. A charming cartoon made by Ferenc Sajdik gives information on the process of the food chain for both little children and bigger ones.

Also in the projection room you can get to know the wonderful wetland habitats of Kis-Balaton, and other that of our country in addition to special events of the Hungarian water management through motion pictures.

On the first floor the summer and winter wildlife of the marsh is shown with the help of dioramas. A colorful drawing class was furnished for children where they can draw and have a talk about their recent experiences, exhibit their work.

The inner area of Kis-Balaton is closed, which is allowed to be visited only in the frame of an organized excursion in groups. Many photos suggest the unique wildlife of this area throughout the country, but tableaux with texts also give information on this territory in Hungarian, English and German languages.

Some sights of the Small-Balaton region:

1. Small-Balaton House (Kis-Balaton ház)
The Excavation of the St. Adrian Chatedral (by the Kis-Balaton House)
St. Stephen chapel (by the Kis-Balaton House)
"Water" playground on Kis-Balaton (Next to the Kis-Balaton House)
2. Kányavár Island excursion center
(on the western side of the road between Zalavár and Balatonmagyaród)
3. Ox-reservation on Kápolnáspuszta
(on the eastern side of the road between Zalakomár and Balatonmagyaród)
4. István Fekete memorial room and the hut of Oncle Matula on Diás Island
(can only be visited with the premission of the Balaton-Felvidék National Parks directorate)
5. Folklore museum in Vörs
6. Medicinal bath in Zalakaros
7. Lake in Hévíz