The Sárvár region – The mystery of the time-traveling Turkish column

The resort village of Sitke, near Sárvár, is just a five-minute drive from the Sárvár Spa and Wellness Center. But if, in addition to discovering local legends and interesting sights, you are also attracted by active tourism, then you will be pleased to know that the National Blue Trail runs between Sárvár and Sitke. The route, which starts at the Nádasdy Castle Park in Sárvár, is easily accessible on foot or by bike. It reaches Sitke on Calvary Hill, which is dominated by the attractive little building of the Sitke Chapel, famous for the Sitke Rock Festival held there every summer. Sitke is the closest rural settlement to the Sárvár Thermal Bath in the Sárvár area. Although it is a small village, it has many interesting features.

The column, known locally as the Turkish monument, is located at the intersection of the main road between Sárvár and Celldömölk and the road leading to the Colonia Natura Apartment Park. Before turning off towards the guesthouses in Sitke, the old cemetery with its gate reminiscent of Western movies catches the eye on the opposite side. Opposite this gate is the aforementioned time-traveling Turkish column.

Although the area around Sárvár was never under permanent Turkish rule, there were battles here as well. At that time, a significant part of the population took refuge in either the Nádasdy Castle in Sárvár or the Ság Hill. According to legend, the defenders of Sárvár Castle repeatedly attacked the Turkish troops raiding the area.

During one of these clashes, a high-ranking Turkish military commander lost his life. He was buried in Sitke, and his remains were placed along the road leading to the Colonia Natura guesthouses. A memorial column was erected above them.

The column was held in high esteem for a long time, but over the centuries its condition deteriorated significantly. In the early 1900s, a bishop’s representative visited this part of the Sárvár area and his eye was caught by this strange, decaying monument. By then, it was believed that the column could not possibly date from the Turkish era, but rather from the 18th century. However, the legend that the column was a remnant of the Turkish era persisted among the people of Sitke.

Anyone who visits Sitke from Sárvár or takes a pleasant walk through the village from the guesthouses of the Colonia Natura Apartment Park can witness this strange duality for themselves. What’s more, the four small niches at the top of the column once contained battle reports. If you are brave enough to press your ear to the column at midnight, you can still hear the last breath of the Turkish leader who fell in battle.

But even during the day, it is an interesting highlight among the sights of the Sárvár area, and this journey through time is far from over. Follow the Colonia Natura Apartment Park Facebook page and our blog on our website.