Mursko Središće

Mursko Sredisce is the northern entrance to Croatiaand the northernmost Croatian City. It is located on the right bank of river Mura, which it was named after.

Historians claim that it has been here since the Roman Period, but it was first officially mentioned in the parish listing in 1334 as Sancti Martin in Sredische. Later, the placehas benn mentioned as an important trade post oppidum called Mura Zerdahely.

The development of the city begins in the 19 century, thanks to the discovery of crude oil in nearby Peklenica (in 1856) and the building of a railroad (in 1890). In 1901, a pipeline for oil extraction was constructed, and it was the first in this part of Europe.

Also coal exploitation began and continued until 1972. Today, the city is known for its textile and construction industry. It is the local administrative, traffic and cultural centre of this part of Medimurje. Because of its position, the city cooperates with Lendava in Slovenia and Lenty in Hungary.

In 1997, the place gained a status of a city, with the nearby settlements Peklenica, Krizovec,  Strukovec  and Hlapicina, with a total of 6840 residents. The city covers an area of 25 square kilometers.