Mađerkin breg vidikovac

Međimurje County is the small, green corner of northern Croatia between the Mura and Drava rivers, a gently rolling land of vineyards, orchards and villages, with Slovenia, Hungary and Austria all within a short distance. Its hills, called gorice, rise in the west near the village of Štrigova, and the highest of them carry a lookout. Mađerkin breg vidikovac is a viewing tower, about 27 metres high, built on the hill known as Mađerkin breg, and it gives one of the widest views in the county.

The hill's name has a local story attached to it. A mađerka, in the dialect of the region, is a Hungarian woman, and the name is said to commemorate a woman of Hungarian origin who settled on the slope and became a well-known figure among the villagers. Such stories are part of the character of Međimurje, where border lines have shifted many times and languages and customs mix. The hill is among the highest points in the county, and its position at the western edge makes it a natural place for a lookout.

The tower rises above the trees, and from the platform at the top the whole landscape lies spread out. Rows of vines run down the slopes, red-roofed farms sit among orchards, church towers mark the villages, and on a clear day the view continues across the border into Slovenia and Hungary, with the lowlands of the Mura valley in the distance. The light is best in the morning or the late afternoon, and in autumn, when the vines turn gold and red, the colours are especially rich. A climb up the stairs takes a few minutes and is open to most visitors, though people who dislike heights may prefer to enjoy the view from the foot of the tower.

Cyclists are among the main visitors. The area is crossed by routes that link Croatia with its neighbours, and a rest point at the foot of the tower offers a place to stop, with facilities for cyclists. Walkers can follow vineyard paths and farm tracks, and the villages nearby have wine cellars, known as klijeti or pivnice, where the local white wines can be tasted. Check locally for the hours at which the tower is open, as they may change with the season.

The surrounding area has plenty to add. Štrigova is traditionally linked with the birthplace of St. Jerome, and the Hill of Mađerka, the Characteristic Rolling Landscape, the Međimurje Vineyards, Castle Banfi, Castle Tkalec and the nearby Viewing Tower - Vidikovac belong to the same landscape. The lookout suits cyclists, walkers, photographers and wine lovers.