Nagybajom

Nagybajom is also known as the town of storks. The birds returning to Somogy in spring are first seen here and the settlement won the title European Stork Village in 1996. A spa has been built around the thermal water found here.

Set in beautiful countryside, the settlement first occurs as Bajom in a charter dated 1197.

The rich natural environment of days bygone has been preserved in the city coat of arms with a beautiful migratory bird, the lapwing in the centre. Symbolic of the varied bird life of these former marshlands and swamps, the bird was first featured on the settlement's seal in 1702. Large numbers of rare and protected birdssuch as white tailed eagle, black stork and ferruginous duck, live in this area to this day but it is the white stork that has become the most famous. A network of European settlements cooperates in order to protect it.

Part of the history of the settlement is that the infamous Margit Line stretched the length of the town. One of the major battles of World War II took place here in December 1944. The front was held for four months with great losses incurred by both sides and by the inhabitants, their homes, economic and cultural assets.

Among the architectural heritage, the Sárközy Mansion was renowned for its social life; several artists and writers spent time here in the 18th century. Currently the building is home to the exhibitions of the István Sárközy Local History Museum (Helytörténeti Múzeum).

With the large moat measuring 8-10 metres wide and 4-5 metres deep, the fortifications of the medieval Koroknya Castle can be found to the east of the settlement in Koroknyapusza.

How to get there:
By public transport, Volán buses run to Nagybajom from Kaposvár. By car, take Route 61 and look for Nagybajom west of Kaposvár.