In the footsteps of Benedictine abbots in Kaposszentjakab

Itinerary

• From the bus stop, we follow the SL marking to the ridge road running above Zselicszentpál.
• On the ridge, we turn right, northwards on the S marking, which guides us to downtown Kaposvár.

Detailed description of the route

At the bus stop, we spot the SL marking, along which we first walk in Monostor Street, then climb up a staircase equipped with railings to the impressive entrance of the ruins of the Kaposszentjakab abbey. Make sure to spend enough time at Kaposvár's oldest historical site!

The abbey was founded in 1061 along the military and trade routes leading through the Kapos valley, with its consecration taking place in 1067. The Benedictine abbey ruins on Castle Hill above Kaposszentjakab are Kaposvár’s oldest protected monument and also one of the city’s significant cultural and tourist centers. It hosts several events, among which the St. Jakab Summer Evenings program stands out. It is worth walking through the beautiful ruin complex, peeking into the stone collection and exhibitions arranged in the former cloister. In the northern corner of the ruin garden, there is a newly built lookout tower, next to benches and a fire pit.

After this historical adventure, following the marking, we start our hike through weekend houses in Várdomb Street. First, we pass a bell tower and the cross of the St. Jakab hill community, then we watch the signs on a gently right-curving cart track, because at a junction it sharply turns left into a ditch. Walking along the wide cart track of the very atmospheric Nádasdi Forest, after two kilometers the hiking path turns sharply right.

In a wild forest environment, the sign leads us along a winding little trail into the valley, where we arrive on a road curving to the left. We cross the Nádasdi brook, then continue to the left again along it. A few hundred meters later, leaving the valley, we turn right into the forest and climb steeply up the hillside. Soon we meet the S● marking, where it is worthwhile to take a detour down to the Latinca spring hidden in the valley. Unfortunately, the spring and its surroundings are in a disgracefully neglected state. Alongside the beautiful beech forests embracing the spring stands a also neglected memorial commemorating the martyrs of the 1919 Hungarian Soviet Republic.

Leaving the spring, we climb steeply for a few hundred meters, arriving at the S marking running along the ridge. With our newly marked path, we turn right here, passing a hunting stand, then about 600 meters later turn left, crossing a field westwards along a shrubbery to reach the corner of the opposite forest. We turn right, heading northward. First through dense acacia thickets, then emerging from the forest, we cover two kilometers among vineyards and wine-press houses, arriving at the St. Donát Chapel.

The baroque chapel dedicated to St. Donát was built in the early 18th century, with the interesting fact that its tower was only added much later, in 1930. Among its notable features are two wooden statues depicting St. John and Mary, and a Calvary inside the church. If we find the small chapel open – unfortunately a rare occasion – we can admire the former view of Kaposvár on the vault of the sanctuary.

From the chapel, we descend steeply on a paved road down the vineyard slope, soon arriving at the terminus of bus number 6, where we can catch a bus. Those who feel strong enough need to walk another two kilometers through Kaposvár streets crossing the Kapos river and the railway to the train station or the bus station.