If you would like to focus your trip on historic buildings, folklore and regional cuisine, the Municipality of Vratišinec offers a range of points of interest. The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and the Old School Building tell the story of local architecture, while events and an ethnographic collection introduce further cultural themes. When planning your visit, it is worth distinguishing between these permanent attractions and programmes held on specific occasions.
The Church and the Old School Building
The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross was built in 1897 in the southeastern part of the village of Vratišinec. It is a protected immovable individual cultural property. Two late Baroque sculptures of the Roman martyrs John and Paul, dating from 1779, stand in front of its main façade. The same building thus brings together a construction date in the late 19th century and artworks from the 18th century.
Another architectural landmark is the Old School Building in the centre of Vratišinec, built in 1874. This single-storey building has a rectangular floor plan and a Neoclassical façade. Flat pilasters divide the sections between the windows; as flat wall features, they differ from freestanding columns. You can compare the two buildings through their specific details: the sculptures in front of the church’s main façade stand out, while the school building is notable for the clear layout of its façade.
Traditional Dishes and Folklore
At the “Mamičina škrija” event, visitors can sample dishes made from traditional family recipes. These include “pečena šulenka”, “močjek” and “trgnci s maslom i trojstvom”. The event has been held regularly since 2010. If you are interested in the culinary side of local culture, you will find named specialities here rather than a general description of regional cuisine. If you would like to plan your trip around this programme, check the date in advance.
Folklore also has a firm place among the cultural events described here. “Vratišinske vesele vurice” is a traditional folklore evening featuring ensembles and groups from Croatia and abroad. The “Žgančevi zapisi” event is organised each year in memory of the life’s work of academician Dr Vinko Žganec. It presents the cultural heritage of Međimurje folk songs that he recorded. Both events celebrate cultural traditions, but have different focuses: one centres on a folklore evening with performing groups, while the other focuses on folk songs.
Theatre and Sacred Music Concerts
“Susreti dramskih amatera” offers theatre performances for children, young people and older residents. The sacred Marian concert “PJEVAJMO, PJEVAJMO MARIJI” takes place in the parish Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross for the Feast of Our Lady of the Snows. There is also “Božić u srcu”, a Christmas concert featuring a living nativity scene. These events complement the architectural and folklore themes with theatre and sacred music. Each has a different focus, so the date of the event in question is essential when planning your trip.
A Glimpse into Rural Life
In Gornji Kraljevec, the Mamičina škrinja ethnographic collection displays objects, aids, clothing, tools and tableware from the everyday life of the rural population more than 100 years ago. The collection offers a different way to explore culture than the church, school building or events: everyday objects take centre stage. Note the different names: “Mamičina škrija” refers to the event with tastings, while “Mamičina škrinja” is the ethnographic collection in Gornji Kraljevec.
Plan Your Journey and Accommodation
The Čakovec–Mursko Središće railway line runs through the Municipality of Vratišinec. If you are planning to travel by train, check the timetable for your travel dates. When looking for a holiday apartment, you can first decide what you would like to focus on during your stay: church art and architectural history, a particular cultural programme or the ethnographic collection will appeal to different interests. If you want to plan your travel dates around an event, confirm its date before booking.
Discover more destinations: Vratišinec, Municipality of Sveti Juraj na Bregu, Municipality of Selnica, Municipality of Orehovica, Municipality of Gornji Mihaljevec
Return to the regional travel overview: Međimurska.
