Sveti Martin na Muri

Sveti Martin na Muri (Hungarian: Muraszentmárton, lit. "St-Martin-on-the-Mur") is a village and municipality in Međimurje County, in northern Croatia. History In Ancient times, the Roman settlement Halikan (Halicanum) existed on the site of today's village Sveti Martin na Muri. The settlement was located on the Roman road that led from Poetovio to Carnuntum. In 1334 Sveti Martin na Muri was recorded as a Catholic parish named Sancti Martini in the Census of parishes of the Zagreb Diocese. In the late 16th century, the nobleman Nicolaus Malakoczy built a castle in the village of Lapšina. The castle fell into disrepair during the 19th century and by the 1930s it was completely demolished. In 1911 in the hamlet of Vučkovec, mineral water was found while drilling for oil. In 1936 the first pool was built at the Vučkovec spring which marked the beginning of a Spa Resort in the village of Toplice Sveti Martin. The Municipality of Sveti Martin na Muri was established in 1992. Geography Sveti Martin na Muri is located in upper Međimurje at the border with Slovenia. The village of Sveti Martin na Muri, is located around 19 kilometres northwest from Čakovec, and some 110 kilometres north of Zagreb. The municipality covers an area of 25.24 km2. Geomorphologically, the municipality can be divided into two parts. The southern part consists of low hills called Međimurske Gorice, while the northern part consists of the alluvial plain of the Mur river. The Mur river divides the municipality into two parts. All settlements of the municipality are located on the right bank of the Mur, while the left bank consists of wetlands and fields. The Floodplain of the Mur is part of a natural protected area called the Mura-Drava Regional park. There is a border crossing with Slovenia in municipality which connects the municipality with the village of Hotiza in Slovenia's Prekmurje. The area on the left bank of the Mur river is part of an ongoing border dispute between Croatia and Slovenia. Demographics In the 2021 census, the municipality had a population of 2,391 in the following settlements: The majority of inhabitants are Croats making up 96.86% of population. Administration The current mayor of Sveti Martin na Muri is Martin Srša and the Sveti Martin na Muri Municipal Council consists of 9 seats. Culture The Church of Saint Martin was built in the late Middle Ages and later restyled in a baroque manner. The church was mentioned in 1334 (Sancti Martini), in 1501 (Sancti Martini superioris) and in 1650 (Sancti Martini in Komory). The sanctuary is polygonal, arched with a late-gothic cross vault, with ten corbels which are engraved with angel figures and floral ornaments. One has the year 1468 engraved in and there are gothic fresco wall paintings. The current sacristy was built in 1777. The baroque chapel of Saint Margaret in village of Kapelščak was built in 1775. Tourism The municipality of Sveti Martin na Muri has highly developed rural tourism. It is considered one of the best health and wellness tourism destinations in Croatia, and has received several regional, national and international tourism awards. In 2007, Sveti Martin na Muri was named one of the 10 Best European Rural Destinations of Excellence. Bathing tourism is based on the healing power of the Vučkovec mineral spring. Gallery References Bibliography Korunek, Marijana (2009). "Župna crkva sv. Martina biskupa u Svetom Martinu na Muri" (PDF). Godišnjak zaštite spomenika kulture Hrvatske (in Croatian) (33/34): 113–130. Retrieved 26 February 2020. External links Official website(in Croatian) Awarded "EDEN - European Destinations of Excellence" non traditional tourist destination 2007