25 kms from the county city, surrounded by the wooded slopes of the Somogy hills lies a beautiful village: Igal. On its northern fringe stretches the Somogy-Tolna table land reaching its peak at the 301 m high Csúcsos hill, from where, in clear weather, you can see as far as Lake Balaton on the north, the Mecsek mountain and Zengő peak on the south. The spa, popular throughout Europe, has an excellent access by public transport from Kaposvár and from Lake Balaton both.
Igal is the most significant settlement of Outer-Somogy; its outstanding role dates back to the Middle Ages. The name of the settlement is first recorded in 1193, in the letter issued for the knights János, though it is certain that this place had already been populated earlier. A document dating from 1211 calls it „Igal villa” and one from 1272 mentions it as a village; this is when the palatine donated it to the nunns of Rabbit Island.
Two hundred years later the settlement is recorded as an agricultural township, though in a strong bondage from the landlord. Then, during King Matthias’s reign, Igal received a letter of privilege and a licence to hold four nationwide markets a year. The Turkish conquest hit the region in the second half of the 16th century. For protection, a palisade stronghold was built here in 1632-33.
The 1687 entry in Palatine Eszterházy’s records says that the town had recently been regained from the Turks. The enemy’s legacy, however, was well visible all around: the population decreased, development stagnated. Around this time Igal received the special stance of „Haiduk town”, because the male population of the town had played a great role in liberating the country. The armoured arm holding a flag also refers to the „Haiduk”, the typical foot soldiers of the period. After the Turkish rule the region became the Batthyány family’s property, but following the family’s disgrace in the court, it was confiscated. Later the domain went to the Berger family ansd the Veszprém bishopric.
Igal’s history is closely linked to a sad episode of the Rákóczi war of independence. On pursuing the imperial troops, General Bottyán „the Blind” suffered a serious defeat. The bloody battle demanded the lives of a lot of the local townfolks and also the buildings of the town were substantially damaged including the present church’s predecessor built in 1331. The survivors buried their dead into a common grave and also piled up the debris here. On this hill, the community built a Calvary.
After the war a new impetus was given to development, though the town’s history did not lack in disasters, including the 1856 cholera epidemic, which decimated the townsfolk. Later the population gradually increased and so did the industrial facilities.
The emigration wave arrived at the turn of the century. Dozens left for the New World hoping to make their fortune. Later many of them supported those staying at home. Between the two world wars the town’s small industry and commerce was flourishing. The local animal markets attracted visitors from faraway regions.
A turn in the chronicle of 20th century Igal that has determined the town’s life ever since is the result of oil surveys begun in the forties. It was then that the 81 °C thermal water, with an approved medical effect, broke surface. A spa, with a significant effect on Igal’s development, was built on this in the sixties. Over a hundred thousand visitors come to the place every year, with tourism providing primary employment for many of the locals.
A gorgeous resort belt, with friendly and comfortable guest houses, has developed around the spa. They attract foreigners, especially Germans, who are interested in properties in Igal. There are a number of returning guests every year, mostly elderly people visit the settlement whose healing powers and peaceful atmosphere makes it famous in Europe. The development shows its effects also on the image of the village: blooming streets, nice houses, cleanliness.
Furthermore, the spa of Igal – no exaggeration – has a decisive influence on the future of the whole region, allowing the surrounding villages to „profit” from the hundred thousand guests.
Igal’s houses, most provided with all public utilities, are equipped with piped water, gas, telephone and cable TV. Part of the properties have also been connected to the sewer system, which gradually raises the village’s comfort level. The plans of the local government include an asphalt coat for every road, to provide a better service for the locals.
The foundation stone of the new school was laid in 1993 but the new educational facility opened its gates for the pupils of the region only in 2002. Following perhaps the largest scale investment – 260 million HUF – of the region, the children of Igal and the surrounding settlements will be able to receive their basic education in a modern environment, including a gymnasium.
Igal’s most significant employer is the Pannon Fornetti Kft, proviiding over a hundred.jobs. The employees of the local government number slightly fewer, and there are more private businesses providing a living for dozens. Besides the local possibilities, many commute to work to the county city, which does not mean a major problem, thanks to the reasonable public transport.
Igal’s future and development is primarily based on the spa. The owner’s plan target an even higher scale service, to achieve an advantageous position as compared to other similarly endowed spa resorts, following the EU accession in 2004.
