Vučkovec
Encyclopedia
Vučkovec is a mineral spring
in Međimurje County, northern Croatia
, which from the early twentieth century served as the focus of a small resort community.
The healing power of the warm mineral water was known to local inhabitants living near the Vučkovec locality from the very beginning. The spring water showed measured temperature between 33°C and 34°C, remarkable balneological factors, high level of mineralization
and presence of carbon dioxide
.
In the mid-thirties of the twentieth century, Josip Kraljić, a businessman from the 15-kilometer-distant town of Čakovec
, developed the resort at the location by building the first swimming pool. At the same time he established a bottle filling section for bottled drinking mineral water
called „Vučkovec – mineral spring of Medjimurje“, that functioned until the Second World War. After the War the facility was nationalized
and suffered stagnation.
New development occurred in 1996, after the Croatian War of Independence
, as the whole area was included into a new-formed Sveti Martin na Muri
municipality. Vučkovec was bought by the firm „Modeks“ Inc. from the neighbouring town of Mursko Središće
and named „Toplice Vučkovec“ (English
: Vuchkovets Spa). A new swimming pool was built, as well as dressing room, restaurant
and other supporting facilities.
In 2003 a new company, „Toplice Sveti Martin“ Ltd., took over the location with all existing equipment and pushed strongly for the further development, investing in a new open-air and an indoor swimming pool
, sauna
s, sunbed
s, golf
playgrounds and a new four-stars hotel. So an attractive health, spa and sport resort, well known in the region, has been developed lately.
Besides the mineral spring, the name Vučkovec has been used for the neighbouring gas exploitation field, as well as for the water retention dam
on the rambling Gradiščak brook, built for flood protection.
Mineral spring
Mineral springs are naturally occurring springs that produce water containing minerals, or other dissolved substances, that alter its taste or give it a purported therapeutic value...
in Međimurje County, northern Croatia
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 ...
, which from the early twentieth century served as the focus of a small resort community.
The healing power of the warm mineral water was known to local inhabitants living near the Vučkovec locality from the very beginning. The spring water showed measured temperature between 33°C and 34°C, remarkable balneological factors, high level of mineralization
Mineralization (geology)
In geology, mineralization is the hydrothermal deposition of economically important metals in the formation of ore bodies or "lodes".The first scientific studies of this process took place in Cornwall, United Kingdom by J.W.Henwood FRS and later by R.W...
and presence of carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...
.
In the mid-thirties of the twentieth century, Josip Kraljić, a businessman from the 15-kilometer-distant town of 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:...
, developed the resort at the location by building the first swimming pool. At the same time he established a bottle filling section for bottled drinking mineral water
Mineral water
Mineral water is water containing minerals or other dissolved substances that alter its taste or give it therapeutic value, generally obtained from a naturally occurring mineral spring or source. Dissolved substances in the water may include various salts and sulfur compounds...
called „Vučkovec – mineral spring of Medjimurje“, that functioned until the Second World War. After the War the facility was nationalized
Nationalization
Nationalisation, also spelled nationalization, is the process of taking an industry or assets into government ownership by a national government or state. Nationalization usually refers to private assets, but may also mean assets owned by lower levels of government, such as municipalities, being...
and suffered stagnation.
New development occurred in 1996, after the Croatian War of Independence
Croatian War of Independence
The Croatian War of Independence was fought from 1991 to 1995 between forces loyal to the government of Croatia—which had declared independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia —and the Serb-controlled Yugoslav People's Army and local Serb forces, with the JNA ending its combat...
, as the whole area was included into a new-formed 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:...
municipality. Vučkovec was bought by the firm „Modeks“ Inc. from the neighbouring town of Mursko Središće
Mursko Središce
Mursko Središće is the northernmost city in Croatia, located at and one of the oldest localities in Međimurje county.Mursko Središće is a city with a total population of 6,334 , and an area of...
and named „Toplice Vučkovec“ (English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
: Vuchkovets Spa). A new swimming pool was built, as well as dressing room, restaurant
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
and other supporting facilities.
In 2003 a new company, „Toplice Sveti Martin“ Ltd., took over the location with all existing equipment and pushed strongly for the further development, investing in a new open-air and an indoor swimming pool
Swimming pool
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest is the Olympic-size swimming pool...
, sauna
Sauna
A sauna is a small room or house designed as a place to experience dry or wet heat sessions, or an establishment with one or more of these and auxiliary facilities....
s, sunbed
Sunbed
A sunbed , tanning bed or sun tanning bed is a device which emits ultraviolet radiation to produce a cosmetic tan. Regular tanning beds use several fluorescent lamps that have phosphor blends designed to emit UV in a spectrum that is somewhat similar to the sun...
s, golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
playgrounds and a new four-stars hotel. So an attractive health, spa and sport resort, well known in the region, has been developed lately.
Besides the mineral spring, the name Vučkovec has been used for the neighbouring gas exploitation field, as well as for the water retention dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
on the rambling Gradiščak brook, built for flood protection.