ZALAEGERSZEG

town and seat of Zala megye (county), western Hungary. It lies on the right bank of the Zala River. The town was of medieval origin and was a frontier fort in Hungary's wars with Turkey (16th17th century). It was never occupied by the Turks. The town's notable buildings include the Gcsej Museum, with a rich historical and ethnographic collection; the twin-spired Baroque parish church (175060); and the County Council House Chapel (176177). On the banks of the Zala River there is an open-air Gcsej village museum. (The Gcsej is the local region of southwestern Hungary noted for the peculiarities of its dialect.) The museum displays more than 30 buildings, including timber houses, stables, and a water mill. Zalaegerszeg has a large clothing factory. Pop. (1990 prelim.) 62,221.