Štrigova

Štrigova is the wine-growing heart of Upper Međimurje, about 20 kilometres north of Čakovec, right by the Slovenian border. Its municipality spreads across vineyard-covered hills, orchards and wooded pockets, with a cluster of small villages linked by the local wine route and its cellar doors. The defining high point is Mađerkin breg at 341 metres above sea level, only 3.5 metres below Mohokos, Međimurje’s highest summit. A cycling information centre and lookout opened there in 2022; its laminated-timber structure rises 28 metres, with the visitor platform set at 21 metres. From the village centre, routes also lead towards St Jerome’s Church, built on the site of an earlier church recorded before the 15th century. Štrigova’s character rests as much on its vineyard scenery and sacred heritage as on the new tower overlooking the rolling northern edge of Međimurje. Mađerkin breg forms part of the area’s cycling offer, while Štampar Winery and its tasting room are among its featured excursion stops. This blend of vines, church heritage and panoramic architecture makes Štrigova a natural base for exploring north-western Međimurje.

Štrigova is not centred on a single grand square; its identity spreads across wine-growing hills and hamlets beside the Slovenian border. Local vineyards form part of the Međimurje Wine Road, and Pušipel has developed into both the signature grape and a protected regional brand. The churches of St Jerome and St Mary Magdalene anchor the religious heritage, while the newer World Centre of Pušipel connects wine with Upper Međimurje’s history, customs and stories. The Štrigova subdialect is listed in Croatia’s Register of Cultural Heritage, meaning that the area’s distinctiveness is also heard in everyday speech. Vineyards around Sveti Urban, Železna Gora and Banfi complete a setting that differs sharply from the flatter landscapes of Lower Međimurje.