Municipality of Vratišinec: Culture, Folklore and Cuisine
Accommodation in Municipality of Vratišinec
The Municipality of Vratišinec combines historic buildings with folklore, cultural heritage and traditional dishes. This gives you a clear mix of themes to shape your trip around: you can explore sacred art and local history, as well as events featuring music, theatre and cuisine.
Key facts about the Municipality of Vratišinec
In the village of Vratišinec are the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and the Old School Building. The municipality is also associated with folklore and the work of ethnomusicologist Dr Vinko Žganec. The Čakovec–Mursko Središće railway line runs through the Municipality of Vratišinec. Events featuring dishes made from family recipes and communal cooking offer a taste of the local cuisine.
Which historic buildings define Vratišinec?
The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross was built in 1897 in the southeastern part of the village and is a protected immovable individual cultural asset. Two late Baroque sculptures of the Roman martyrs John and Paul, dating from 1779, stand in front of its main façade. Alongside the church’s architecture, these late Baroque works add a distinct art-historical feature.
Another example is the Old School Building in the centre of Vratišinec, built in 1874. The single-storey building has a rectangular floor plan and a Neoclassical façade. Flat pilasters divide the surface between the windows. For those interested in architecture, it offers a different perspective on local history from the church: rather than sacred architecture, the focus is on the simple, clearly structured façade of a school building.
What do the folklore and collections tell us?
Folklore ensembles and groups from Croatia and abroad perform at “Vratišinske vesele vurice”. “Žgančevi zapisi” is organised every year in memory of the life’s work of academician Dr Vinko Žganec. The event presents the cultural heritage of Međimurje folk songs that he recorded. In December, Vratišinec and members of the KUD also organise “Večer Žgančevih zapisa”.
The exhibition at Spomen-dom dr. Vinka Žganca also focuses on the researcher: it presents his life and significant contribution as a Croatian ethnomusicologist and melographer in a modern, accessible way. The Mamičina škrinja Ethno Collection in Gornji Kraljevec offers a glimpse into everyday history. On display are objects, aids, clothing, tools and dishes from the daily life of the rural population more than 100 years ago. This selection offers a different focus from the presentation of Žgančevo’s musical heritage.
The cultural events programme also includes “Susreti dramskih amatera”, with theatre performances for children, young people and older residents. “Božić u srcu” is a Christmas concert featuring a live nativity scene. The Marian devotional concert “PJEVAJMO, PJEVAJMO MARIJI” takes place in the parish Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on the Feast of Our Lady of the Snows. Together, these events range from folklore and theatre to sacred music.
What culinary experiences are on offer?
At “Mamičina škrija”, visitors can taste 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. At “Vratišinski kotlić”, residents and guests from neighbouring municipalities and towns can cook in teams in the centre of Vratišinec. Each team must have at least three people and register. The event starts on 12 September at 1:00 pm. The two culinary events therefore offer different experiences: one focuses on tasting traditional dishes, while the other is about cooking together as a team.
How can you plan your arrival and accommodation?
The Čakovec–Mursko Središće railway line runs through the Municipality of Vratišinec. The programme in Gornji Kraljevec also includes horse riding along routes through the Municipality of Vratišinec.
If you would like to compare more municipality profiles, you can find the Municipality of Orehovica, the Municipality of Gornji Mihaljevec, the Municipality of Sveti Juraj Na Bregu and the Municipality of Selnica here.
FAQ
What historic buildings are there in Vratišinec?
The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross was built in 1897. The Old School Building in the village centre dates from 1874 and has a Neoclassical façade.
Which dishes can you taste at “Mamičina škrija”?
Dishes made from traditional family recipes include “pečena šulenka”, “močjek” and “trgnci s maslom i trojstvom”.
What does the Mamičina škrinja Ethno Collection show?
The collection in Gornji Kraljevec displays objects, aids, clothing, tools and dishes from the daily life of the rural population more than 100 years ago.
For the wider travel overview: Međimurje.
