Sveti Martin na Muri

Sveti Martin na Muri ( _hu. Muraszentmárton) is a municipality in Međimurje County, Croatia. There are 2,509 inhabitants, most of whom are Croats (2001 census).

History

Sveti Martin na Muri is located in a valley between the northern hills, near the river Mura. 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 the year 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 the year 1777.

Location

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 - northern part of the Municipality and hilly area - 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.