Mursko Središce
Encyclopedia
Mursko Središće is the northernmost city in Croatia
, located at 46.509°N 16.441°E (alt.
175 m) and one of the oldest localities in Međimurje county.
Mursko Središće is a city with a total population of 6,334 (2011), and an area of 34 km² (13.13 sq mi). It lies on the river Mura, the natural line dividing Croatia from Slovenia
.
Nearby places are Čakovec
, Sveti Martin na Muri, Lendava, and Podturen
.
and was known under the name of Helicanum. If true, it would have been a strategic point on the road between Ptuj
(Poetovio) in Slovenia and Carnuntum
(Petronell) on the river Danube
, the post between today's Vienna
and Bratislava
in Slovakia
. The existing road was built in the 1st century. Other historians disagree, claiming that Helicanum might be today's Sveti Martin na Muri
or nearby Lendava
(Lendva).
The city's residents have always been connected to their river. Since the 4th century BC, there have been reports of floating mills powered by the river's stream. The ancient know-how was later accepted by Slavs, then by Magyars upon their arrival. Several decades ago, many of them were scattered along the river banks. The last one in the city was still operating in the 1970s.
In 1477, Mursko Središće was officially mentioned as an important trade post with three other places in Međimurje (Čakovec
, Prelog
and Nedelišće
). In 1650, the city was known as Muraszerdahely and in 1660 the local chapel of St. Martin was documented. In 1716 the church, that of St. Ladislaus, was built in the gothic
style, but was ruined by the flood in 1690. It was then rebuilt in late baroque
style.
:
Historical population:
and Peklenica
in 1856. At the time, oil was treated and used differently, with total production of 6900 t in 1918. Interestingly, in 1901, even for that level of extraction a pipeline was constructed between Mursko Središće and nearby Selnica, the first one in this part of Europe
.
After World War I
, coal
was discovered in 1921, and the exploitation of this source of energy began soon after. The first coal mine was opened in 1926, with qualified and experienced workers brought from Slovenia. (There were other points of extraction in Peklenica (even earlier) and Lopatinec.) World War II
ended the business started by Kraljić & Majhen Co., which was then nationalized and managed under the name of Međimurski ugljenokopi. In that period (1946–1972), coal extraction was significant, with total output of 4,593,961 t, in average 155,000 t each year.
Low prices of gasoline forced the industry to be closed despite the significant reserves. New technology and approaches are needed to continue. Use of existing technology for coal extraction would not be profitable any more.
The building of a railroad between Lendava and Čakovec in 1889 facilitated communication. There are two bridges crossing the river: the first was built for the railroad in 1889, while the second one, used in road transportation, was built in 1968.
, part of its history
and culture
are still evident today in language
, diet, customs, and music
.
Forms of organized activities are numerous, such as tennis
, basketball
, football (soccer), chess
, hunting
and fishing
, and the radio "YU2CMS" club.
There are two singing choirs, one of them adding literary, drama
, music
tamburitza
music and folklore
sections, the last run by Franjo Liklin for decades. Portions of the work by renowned ethnomusicologist Vinko Žganec
was done here since he was the native of neighboring Vratišinec
.
. There are numerous places to stay within the inner city limits or in proximity to the city.
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
, located at 46.509°N 16.441°E (alt.
Altitude
Altitude or height is defined based on the context in which it is used . As a general definition, altitude is a distance measurement, usually in the vertical or "up" direction, between a reference datum and a point or object. The reference datum also often varies according to the context...
175 m) and one of the oldest localities in Međimurje county.
Mursko Središće is a city with a total population of 6,334 (2011), and an area of 34 km² (13.13 sq mi). It lies on the river Mura, the natural line dividing Croatia from Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
.
Nearby places are Čakovec
Cakovec
Čakovec is a city in northern Croatia, located around 90 kilometres north of Zagreb, the Croatian capital. Čakovec is both the county seat and largest city of Međimurje County, the northernmost, smallest and most densely populated Croatian county.-Population:...
, Sveti Martin na Muri, Lendava, and Podturen
Podturen
Podtureň is a village and municipality in Liptovský Mikuláš District in the Žilina Region of northern Slovakia.-Geography:The municipality lies at an altitude of 615 metres and covers an area of . It has a population of about 514 people.-External links:...
.
Early history
Mursko Središće is first mentioned in 1334 as Sancti Martini in Zredysche. Renowned historian Ivan Kukuljević-Sakcinski claimed that the site was occupied by the RomansAncient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
and was known under the name of Helicanum. If true, it would have been a strategic point on the road between Ptuj
Ptuj
Ptuj is a city and one of 11 urban municipalities in Slovenia. Traditionally the area was part of the Lower Styria region. The municipality is now included in the Podravje statistical region...
(Poetovio) in Slovenia and Carnuntum
Carnuntum
Carnuntum was a Roman army camp on the Danube in the Noricum province and after the 1st century the capital of the Upper Pannonia province...
(Petronell) on the river Danube
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
, the post between today's Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
and Bratislava
Bratislava
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...
in Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
. The existing road was built in the 1st century. Other historians disagree, claiming that Helicanum might be today's Sveti Martin na Muri
Sveti Martin na Muri
Sveti Martin na Muri is a municipality in Međimurje County, Croatia. There are 2,509 inhabitants, most of whom are Croats .-History:...
or nearby Lendava
Lendava
Lendava is a town and a municipality in Slovenia in the region of Prekmurje. It is close to the border crossing with Hungary at Dolga vas-Rédics, and Hungarian is one of the official languages of the municipality, along with Slovene...
(Lendva).
The city's residents have always been connected to their river. Since the 4th century BC, there have been reports of floating mills powered by the river's stream. The ancient know-how was later accepted by Slavs, then by Magyars upon their arrival. Several decades ago, many of them were scattered along the river banks. The last one in the city was still operating in the 1970s.
In 1477, Mursko Središće was officially mentioned as an important trade post with three other places in Međimurje (Čakovec
Cakovec
Čakovec is a city in northern Croatia, located around 90 kilometres north of Zagreb, the Croatian capital. Čakovec is both the county seat and largest city of Međimurje County, the northernmost, smallest and most densely populated Croatian county.-Population:...
, Prelog
Prelog
Prelog is a city in Međimurje County, in northern Croatia. The total population of the city is 7,840 .The town of Prelog is located in the southern part of Međimurje County, on the shores of the Drava and Lake Dubrava, a reservoir on the river. The centre of Čakovec, the county seat of Međimurje...
and Nedelišće
Nedelišce
Nedelišće is a village in Međimurje County, in northern Croatia, and the seat of the Municipality of Nedelišće, which also includes 10 other villages in the south-western part of Međimurje County....
). In 1650, the city was known as Muraszerdahely and in 1660 the local chapel of St. Martin was documented. In 1716 the church, that of St. Ladislaus, was built in the gothic
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
style, but was ruined by the flood in 1690. It was then rebuilt in late baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
style.
Population
The city administrative area of Mursko Središće is split into the following settlementsNaselje
Naselje is a settlement in Croatia, usually translated as settlement. It is the smallest unit of Croatian territory. Individual settlements are by and large referred to as selo , while naselje is a statistical and administrative category. The units of local government in Croatia, cities and...
:
- Hlapičina, population 678
- KrižovecKrižovecKrižovec is a small village in Međimurje County, Croatia, part of the town of Mursko Središće....
, population 638 - Mursko Središće, population 3,465
- PeklenicaPeklenicaPeklenica is a village in Međimurje County, Croatia. As of the 2001 census, there were 1347 inhabitants. The absolute majority of the population are Croats.-References:...
, population 1,208 - ŠtrukovecŠtrukovecŠtrukovec is a village in Croatia. It is connected by the D209 highway....
, population 339
Historical population:
- 1771 — 412
- 1802 — 586
- 1857 — 938
- 1900 — 1420
- 2003 — 3600
Modern development
With the beginning of the 20th century, development was faster thanks to the discovery of crude oil in nearby SelnicaSelnica
Selnica is a municipality in Međimurje County, Croatia. There are 3,442 inhabitants, absolute majority who are Croats .The settlements in the municipality are:* Bukovec * Donji Koncovčak...
and Peklenica
Peklenica
Peklenica is a village in Međimurje County, Croatia. As of the 2001 census, there were 1347 inhabitants. The absolute majority of the population are Croats.-References:...
in 1856. At the time, oil was treated and used differently, with total production of 6900 t in 1918. Interestingly, in 1901, even for that level of extraction a pipeline was constructed between Mursko Središće and nearby Selnica, the first one in this part of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
After World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, coal
Coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock strata in layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams. The harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rock because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure...
was discovered in 1921, and the exploitation of this source of energy began soon after. The first coal mine was opened in 1926, with qualified and experienced workers brought from Slovenia. (There were other points of extraction in Peklenica (even earlier) and Lopatinec.) World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
ended the business started by Kraljić & Majhen Co., which was then nationalized and managed under the name of Međimurski ugljenokopi. In that period (1946–1972), coal extraction was significant, with total output of 4,593,961 t, in average 155,000 t each year.
Low prices of gasoline forced the industry to be closed despite the significant reserves. New technology and approaches are needed to continue. Use of existing technology for coal extraction would not be profitable any more.
The building of a railroad between Lendava and Čakovec in 1889 facilitated communication. There are two bridges crossing the river: the first was built for the railroad in 1889, while the second one, used in road transportation, was built in 1968.
People and activities
The local elementary school center has more than 450 pupils and is the biggest in Međimurje. Since the whole area was for centuries influenced by or was part of HungaryHungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
, part of its history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
and culture
Culture
Culture is a term that has many different inter-related meanings. For example, in 1952, Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn compiled a list of 164 definitions of "culture" in Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions...
are still evident today in language
Language
Language may refer either to the specifically human capacity for acquiring and using complex systems of communication, or to a specific instance of such a system of complex communication...
, diet, customs, and music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
.
Forms of organized activities are numerous, such as tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
, basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, football (soccer), chess
Chess
Chess is a two-player board game played on a chessboard, a square-checkered board with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. It is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide at home, in clubs, online, by correspondence, and in tournaments.Each player...
, hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
and fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
, and the radio "YU2CMS" club.
There are two singing choirs, one of them adding literary, drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
, music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
tamburitza
Tamburitza
Tamburica or Tamboura refers to any member of a family of long-necked lutes popular in Eastern and Southern Europe, particularly Croatia , Serbia and Hungary. It is also known in southern Slovenia and Burgenland...
music and folklore
Folklore
Folklore consists of legends, music, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, fairy tales and customs that are the traditions of a culture, subculture, or group. It is also the set of practices through which those expressive genres are shared. The study of folklore is sometimes called...
sections, the last run by Franjo Liklin for decades. Portions of the work by renowned ethnomusicologist Vinko Žganec
Vinko Žganec
Vinko Žganec is a well-known Croatian ethnomusicologist.Žganec was born in Vratišinec in Međimurje. He started to be interested in music early in his childhood and jotted down his first folk song in 1908. In 1916, he published his first book of Croatian folk songs from Međimurje...
was done here since he was the native of neighboring Vratišinec
Vratišinec
Vratišinec is a municipality in Međimurje County, Croatia.The municipality is named after its seat, the village of Vratišinec, located around 11 kilometres north of Čakovec, the county seat of Međimurje County...
.
Today
Today, Mursko Središće is the local administrative, business and trade center with industry primarily in the textile Modeks, transportation, building materials and more and more tourismTourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
. There are numerous places to stay within the inner city limits or in proximity to the city.