0

The Moravske Toplice township is still predominantly rural. It is located on the eastern boarder of Slovenia in the middle of the Prekmurje region. This region is made up of the land on the the left bank of the Mura river, the flat areas of Ravensko and Dolinsko, and the hilly Goricko area to the north. The area has been suffering from depopulation due to the unfortunate attitude of the government, which has failed to see the importance of developing rural areas for food production and raw materials. Nowadays, the township is focusing on ecological farming and eco-friendly tourism, and hopes for the future include the construction of new tourist facilities, tourist paths, wine roads, cycle paths, footpaths and better fishing and game hunting options. The township has been blessed with an abundance of thermal water, which cures all sorts of medical conditions. In July 2000 the spa Moravske Toplice opened a new bathing complex called Terme 3000, which improved the quality of services provided and increased the spa's appeal to visitors.. One can indulge in an afternoon of relaxation at Thermalium, which provides beauty, wellness and therapy services over a spacious 3200 square meters; or splash in 22 indoor and outdoor swimming pools (a total of 5000 square meters of pool space) enhanced with thermal water, toboggan slides, waterfalls, whirlpools, swimming lanes, etc. Spacious grassy surfaces offer plenty of cosy shade where you can rest. Accommodation is available in modern hotel facilities, private rooms and apartments and at a camping site nearby. For guests desiring something a little more like home, the new tourist resort called "Prekmurska vas" (Prekmurje village) is now open. Numerous restaurants have dishes to satisfy even the most discerning diners, and for those who are feeling a bit adventurous, there is a casino nearby. The environmentally friendly golf course "Livada" offers attractive golf holiday programmes, golf lessons, and organises tournaments and meetings. The game of golf in Prekmurje is unique due to an unusual spectator on two long legs - the distinctive bird of the Prekmurje flatland, the stork. It is the symbol of fertility and of the unconquerable desire to return to one's home nest. Or to a lovely golf course? Heaven for cyclists and day-trippers Prekmurje is ideal for a relaxing weekend trip away from the pollution and bustle of city life. Numerous activities are available. There are organised bike tours through the countryside, or you could set off by yourself. There are many wonderful walking paths to local sights and river mills. Or you could ride a horse over the green meadows. Homely inns offer an abundantly laid table with traditional culinary specialities like bograc (a spicy stew with meat and potatoes), smoked meat, a rich selection of pastry cakes with delicious sweet and savoury fillings, and many fine wines. The most famous speciality of the region is a dessert called prekmurska gibanica. Prekmurska gibanica is a layered pastry that contains poppy seeds, walnuts, apples, raisins, and cottage cheese. Although native to Prekmurje, it has become known as a national speciality of Slovenia. The unique dessert is evidence of the variety of agriculture in this region. It is the easternmost region of Slovenia, bordering Hungary to the northeast, Austria to the northwest, Croatia to the south and the Slovenian region of Stajerska to the southwest. The river Mura gave Prekmurje its name, a literal translation from Slovene would be "Over the Mura." This comes from the fact that the river separates the region from the rest of Slovenia. The Mura is a fascinating river with many branches, strong currents and historic river mills. The best way to appreciate its natural beauty is on an organized boating trip on a sefa (the boat used on the Mura). You can travel all the way to Izakovci where you can visit the B�jrasi Museum and taste pajan kruh (bread grilled on hot coals). The castle of many rooms The area has a continental climate with very hot summers, scant summer rainfall, thick autumn fog that may last throughout the day, and very cold winters. Central Prekmurje is Slovenia's granary, but the picturesque rolling hills of the National Park Goricko in the north were destined to become a wine region. The Goricko Wine Tourist Road is a great attraction both for Slovene and foreign visitors. In the village Grad na Gorickem (Castle of Goricko) one can discover the biggest castle in Slovenia, which has 365 rooms. Guests can visit workshops which show regional arts, such as the well-known Prekmurje pottery, or crafts (workshops on display include a blacksmith's workshop, weaving mill, wheelwright's trade, distillery of schnapps, and a black kitchen with an open fireplace). Every Halloween the castle transforms into "the Witches' Lair," with hundreds of people dressed as witches, a bonfire in the park and Halloween pumpkins on the castle windows. The castle was built by the Knights Templar during the time of the Crusades. It has an illustrious history and is currently being refurbished with the help of the Phare Project. It is also the headquarters of the National Park Goricko which includes parts of Austria and Hungary as well as northern Prekmurje. Its establishment was financed by the European Union. Oppressed by many, beaten by none In Prekmurje one can still spot an occasional cottage with a straw roof and can visit tourist farms to meet the friendly locals and experience what farm life is really like. The first settlers came to Prekmurje in prehistoric times and there are a number of archaeological sites around the region with prehistoric tools and burial sites. Through the centuries, Prekmurje experienced waves of Roman, Slavic and Hungarian settlers and many Turkish raids. In the 19th century the Hungarian rulers required the people of the region to speak Hungarian, and there is still a sizable Hungarian population there, as well as a large number of Gypsies. The religious profile is very diverse and includes Christians, Evangelicals and other religious sects. A gingerbread of love, please Prekmurje has a typical Panonian style of architecture with villages clustered alongside the roads beside the flat fields, or in the hilly region of Goricko, randomly scattered houses. When it comes to cultural heritage sites, the famous Plecnik church of the Lord's Ascension (also called the "White Dove") with an unusual round belfry is definitely worth visiting. The same goes for the Gothic Church of St. Martin in Martjanci and the Romanesque rotunda of St. Nicolas in Selo. It dates back to the 13th century and displays fascinating frescoes, among others the painter's self-portrait, which is the oldest self-portrait in Slovenia and one of the oldest self-portraits in Europe. To end on a sweet note - in addition to the wine road, Prekmurje also boasts The Sweet Road. In its souvenir shops one can buy lovely hand-painted gingerbread hearts. They symbolize love, joy and celebration - in short, all the good things in life.