Csáford is a small village surrounded by hills in the valley of river Zala, in the
Carpatian pelvis – the heart of Europe. The beauty and quiet of this untamed
area capture all visistors from around the world. The land is perfectly suitable
for viniculture, given its geographical and climatic characteristics.

The history of the village, based upon archeological remains dates back to the
Copper Age. The most famous of these are the Csáford gold discs.
The two discs – 10 and 12 cm in diameter – were made of thin gold plate,
decorated with hammered knobs and geometric patterns. They were worn on the
middle of the chest sewn to the overgarment. The discs were characteristic
jewels of the people populating Transdanubia during Middle Copper Age
(4000–3500 BC). The exquisite artefacts came to light near Csáford, on the
slope of the ridge rising above River Zala, during vine-stock planting, in 1952.
Rescue archaeological investigations brought to light remains of a Copper Age
settlement with typical ceramic fragments. The original gold discs can be
admired in the Hungarian National Museum, Budapest. The Göcsej-Museum,
Zalaegerszeg exhibits finds from local Copper Age sites.

In this village, whose number of inhabitants is constantly dicreasing, you can
find a bell tower built int he 18th Century, along with a monument dedicated to
the heroes of the First and Second World Wars reminding us of those fallen.
The old school has been turned into a church and a village fair is held on the
Sunday following the saint Kármelhegyi Boldogasszony.

The name „Csáford” so estranged to the Hungarian language dates back to the
following legend. When Hungarian king Endre II. returned back from the
crusades with his army, he was accompanied by a British knight named Stafford,
who had not only won himself acclamation in the fights, but was also a mighty
drinking mate. The faithful soldier was given the property of Csáford in
recognition for his acts in the battles.

I heard it through the grapevine…