Sveti Martin na Muri

Sveti Martin na Muri
Municipality

Village centre
Sveti Martin na Muri

Location of Sveti Martin na Muri in Croatia

Coordinates: 46°32′N 16°23′E / 46.533°N 16.383°E / 46.533; 16.383
Country  Croatia
County Međimurje
Government
 • Municipal mayor Franjo Makovec
Area
 • Total 25.24 km2 (9.75 sq mi)
Population (2011)[1]
 • Total 2,605
 • Density 100/km2 (270/sq mi)
 • Village 435
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 40313 Sveti Martin na Muri
Website http://svetimartin.hr/

Sveti Martin na Muri (Hungarian: Muraszentmárton) is a village and municipality in Međimurje County, Croatia. There are 2,605 inhabitants,[1] most of whom are Croats. It is the northernmost point of Croatia.

History

It is one of the oldest settlements in this part of Međimurje. In Roman times from Ptuj across the river Mura towards Lendava passed through the area and Roman coins and other material have been found. This place was important in medieval times and had several gothic churches and old castles such as Gradiščak and Lapšina. The Church of Saint Martin was built at this time and later restyled in a baroque manner. The church is mentioned already in 1334 (Sancti Martini) then in 1501 (Sancti Martini Superior) and in 1650 (Sancti Martini in Komory). The sanctuary is polygonal, arched with late-gothic cross vault, which is carried with ten consoles which are engraved with angel figures, floral ornaments, and one has the year 1468 engraved in and there are gothic fresco wall paintings. The present sacristy was built in 1777.

Location

A krampus from Sveti Martin na Muri

Sveti Martin na Muri is located in a valley between the northern hills, near the river Mura. Municipality Sveti Martin na Muri is an area where river Mura enters the national territory of Republic of Croatia, and where peripanon area slowly turns to perialpine. This results in two distinct relief systems: lowlands in the northern part of the Municipality and hilly area in the southern part of Municipality. Territory of Municipality characterizes moderate fresh continental climate. The most northern part of natural environment is definitely Protected landscape of the River Mura. Mura and with her near environment on this area has preserved her close to natural form. Natural forest vegetation characterize forests of oak, hornbeam, alder, willow, poplar and acacia. Thanks to diversity of habitats faunal world is also rich. Mura and her distributaries, swamps and ponds inhabit large number of species of river fishes, reptiles, swamp birds, and meadows and groves low and high deer. In waters of Mura there are about thirty species of fish registered, of which most numerous is carp species. On the edges of vegetation of Mura there is cultural landscape with interesting patterns of plough-fields and settlement arrangement alongside river flow. The fact that Sveti Martin was till recently economic appendix of Međimurje, actually served that the protection of natural environment is on high level, and declaration of the river Mura to become protected landscape is additional moment which entire plans of Municipality Sveti Martin directs towards preservation of existing resources and their usage on nature sustainable way. All stated characteristics are good presumption for development of tourism, bathing tourism, especially eco-tourism, production of healthy food, fruit production, vine production, arrangement of areas alongside river Mura etc.

Tourism

The municipality of Sveti Martin na Muri has a highly developed rural tourism. It is considered one of the best rural tourist destinations in Croatia, and has received several regional, national and international tourism awards. In 2007, Sveti Martin na Muri has been named one of the 10 Best Emerging European Rural Destinations of Excellence. Bathing tourism is based on the healing power of a more than hundred-year-old Vučkovec mineral spring.

References

  1. 1 2 "Population by Age and Sex, by Settlements, 2011 Census: Sveti Martin na Muri". Census of Population, Households and Dwellings 2011. Zagreb: Croatian Bureau of Statistics. December 2012.

Coordinates: 46°32′N 16°22′E / 46.533°N 16.367°E / 46.533; 16.367

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