The Germans call it Olsznitz; Slovenian name is a translation of the Hungarian name Muraszombat, which was also the official name until 1919. It was the northernmost city in the former Yugoslavia and throughout the history its inhabitants survive three different political, economic and social systems. In Slovenia, where still today is the centre of the Pannonian world, it is called Murska Sobota. If you didn't bother to look into the history of that city at only 190 meters above sea level, you will surely be surprised by the fact that in 1919 the Murska Republic was declared from the balcony of the restaurant Zvezda in the Centre of Murska Sobota, which expiration date was only 6 days.
They speak Slovenian?!
Today this municipality on the River Mura, on the junction of Austria, Croatia, Hungary and Slovenia, surprises with the hospitality of the people, with a sympathetic small town core and an excellent cuisine. The effects of all the surrounding Nations left the most obvious mark on the language of the inhabitants of Pomurje. For the random visitor would be hard to join the conversation of the natives. What's more, if you hear them speak for the first time, you could mistakenly think that they do not speak Slovenian. But don't worry they switch to standard Slovene as soon as it is needed. Maybe
Murska Sobota is really a small town, but offers a great deal. In the centre both two majority religions have their churches: Catholic Church of St. Nicholas with many murals, paintings, and the organs gallery and the Evangelical Church that is decorated with three towers; the central bell tower rises high into the heights. The lovers of cultural heritage must not omit to visit the castle of Murska Sobota, in which also the Pomurski Museum is.
Attention, hikers and cyclists
Flat world with its characteristic plain attracts hikers and cyclists. Let we remind you that the empty roads, a beautiful landscape with small hills and hospitable people, the rich traditional gastronomy and a variety of fine wines in tourist farms along the way enthused even experienced
cyclist Tyler and Carolyn, who are writing a cycling Guide to Slovenia. Bikers, do you like flatlands? Prekmurje has it enough and to spare. You like easier climbs and descents? Try The Goričko Nature Park. Dear hikers, for you there are several Nordic walking, recreational and thematic routes prepared in total length of 117 kilometres. The beauty of this part of Slovenia is absolutely enchanting, no matter the time of the year: in spring, when the first rays of the Sun wake up the newly green nature; in summer, when you can relax in the shade of lush trees on the grassy beach at Bukovniško Lake; in Fall, when on the slopes of Goričko vine bear fruit and fascinates by the range of live colours; in winter, when nature is resting quietly under a blanket of snow. And just to be sure, if travelling round north-east part of Slovenia and run into the name Bethlehem or Jerusalem… No, you are not in Israel. That will be immediately clear, if you go to nearby restaurant. You will be served with the famous prekmurska gibanica (layered pastry with poppy seeds, walnuts, apples, raisins, and cottage cheese filling), bogračem (goulash) or dödöli (such as potato žganci). Hungry or thirsty you will definitely not leave the Prekmurje.
Leap into the Prlekija
You will surely not get bored, neither in Prekmurje nor in Prlekija. You can visit the thermal baths in Moravske Toplice, Banovce, Radenci that are all in the vicinity of Murska Sobota. The River Mura can take you in times of millers. In 1925, it supposed to be 93 owners of the floating mills on Mura. Today you will be able to see the only one floating mill in Slovenia in Veržej in Prlekija, Babičev mill. It would also be a sin to left out the
Museum of pottery and architecture in Filovci. From afar you will be charmed by two old Pannonian cimprači (houses) with thatched roof that contain the exhibition of village masters, black kitchen pottery items and old stove for firing a black stoneware, which is typical for the Filovci. The masters will show you what’s what, when they sit down at the Potter's spindle. By prior appointment, you can also try in pottery.
