Happy TravellerWelcome to Nagykanizsa, a historic city located in southwestern Hungary. This medium-sized city with county rights lies not far from Lake Balaton and is known as the meeting point of five routes. For centuries, Nagykanizsa has been an important connecting link for trade from Slavonia to Graz and for goods from the Adriatic Sea to the Alpine region, Vienna, and Budapest. Let’s dive into the history of Nagykanizsa and explore the many treasures this city has to offer.
History:
Nagykanizsa has a rich history dating back to the Roman-era. Its oldest Roman-era ruins were excavated in the 1960s. During the Middle Ages, Nagykanizsa became one of the most important strongholds of the Hungarian Kingdom. The fortress had a significant role in the southern shield-line of Hungary, guarding the whole of Western Europe against attacks by the Ottoman Empire. The town and the castle were in their prime in the first half of the 16th century when Kanizsa became a center of trade with Italy and Styria. Szigetvár and Kanizsa became the most important strongholds in southern Hungary. In 1600, the Turkish army occupied the castle. This castle was the center of an Ottoman eyalet including the sanjaks of Sigetvar, Kopan, Valpuva, Siklos, Nadaj, and Balatin until 1690.
Things to do in Nagykanizsa:
1. Visit the Batthyány Lajos High School: The Piarist order started to provide elementary and secondary education supported by Lajos Batthyány in 1765, and the first business school of Transdanubia opened in Nagykanizsa. The ancient buildings of Nagykanizsa’s almae matres have welcomed many famous people including Benedek Virág, Pál Király, Ferenc Deák, Károly Kaán, Sándor Hevesi, and Ferenc Mező.
2. Explore the Kanizsa Brewery: Beer brewed in Kanizsa Brewery regained its reputation as one of the best Hungarian beers, carrying off the palm at more and more international competitions. The brewery was closed at the beginning of the century as demand for beer fell drastically, but Kanizsa Trend Ltd. grew out of the company, with its furniture products gaining a high reputation all over Europe.
3. Learn about Nagykanizsa’s oil industry: Near the end of World War II, the Nagykanizsa oil-fields were the last remaining ones available to the Germans, and to protect these fields, the Wehrmacht launched the last German offensive of the war, Operation Spring Awakening. Hungarian-American Oil Inc. (Hungarian: Magyar Amerikai Olajipari Reszvenytarsasag – MAORT) was formed in 1938, and Nagykanizsa became the center of the Hungarian oil industry.
Education:
Batthyány Lajos High School is a famous high school in Nagykanizsa.
Politics:
The current mayor of Nagykanizsa is László Balogh (Fidesz-KDNP).
Sport:
Nagykanizsa FC is the local association football club.
Notable people:
Nagykanizsa is the birthplace of Kornél Dávid, NBA player, Lajos Balázsovits, Hungarian film actor, Győző Zemplén, physicist, Ferenc Farkas, composer, Szabina Tálosi, football player, and Ferenc Mező, Olympic gold medalist.
Twin towns – sister cities:
Nagykanizsa is twinned with Osijek, Croatia, and Koper, Slovenia.
We hope this travel guide has inspired you to visit Nagykanizsa, Hungary, and explore its rich history and culture. Don’t miss out on this charming city’s many hidden gems!
