This small Hungarian border town has a Baroque Cistercian monastery from 1740, thermal baths, and a cinema that's been operating since 1913. Close to Austria and Slovenia.
Szentgotthárd, Hungary's westernmost town, lies where the Rába and Lapincs rivers meet near the Austrian border. You can explore an 18th-century Baroque church with detailed frescos, watch performances in a theater built within medieval monastery walls, or walk along forest paths to reach the calm waters of Máriaújfalu reservoir.
The Baroque Church of Szentgotthárd
Built in 1779, this church is the third religious building on this site. The interior walls display vivid frescos depicting the 1664 Battle of Saint Gotthard, while the high altar shows the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. You'll find several unique elements inside: a glass coffin containing St. Vincent's relic-skeleton, twenty intricately carved choir seats, and a pulpit adorned with angels and biblical scenes. The church still has its original organ from 1764, built by Ferdinand Schwartz.
Theater in Medieval Walls
The town's modern theater incorporates stone walls from a 12th-century monastery, founded by King Béla III in 1183. Throughout the year, you can attend plays, concerts, and cultural performances in this unique setting where medieval architecture meets contemporary design.
Local Life
The Rába Slovenes community gathers in Szentgotthárd for folk music concerts, traditional dance performances, and seasonal festivals. The town has grown to include formerly separate villages like Farkasfalva and Jakabháza, each maintaining their distinct architectural styles and local customs. The proximity to Austria has brought industrial development, with Opel and Vossen factories employing many residents.
Outdoor Spaces
In the Máriaújfalu district, marked trails lead around the water reservoir through deciduous forest. You can kayak or fish on the Rába River, or take a walk along its banks on paved paths connecting the town's neighborhoods. The merged communities of Rábakisfalud and Talapatka form part of Máriaújfalu, where forest paths and riverside walks create a network of walking routes.
