Općina Legrad: Nature, Culture and Hotels

Općina Legrad brings together waterside nature, cycling connections and a rich local history. If you are planning a hotel stay, these different highlights can help you decide whether the destination suits your interests: you can explore Lake Šoderica, river excursions and culture in Legrad.

Šoderica: Lake, Nature and Promenade

The artificial lake Šoderica has developed abundant aquatic and wetland vegetation. It is a breeding and wintering ground for birds and a habitat for numerous other aquatic and wetland animals. In summer, the northern shore within Općina Legrad is the main swimming area for people from the wider surrounding region. If you would like to swim there, check current conditions and facilities before your visit.

A 1.5-kilometre-long promenade runs along the lake. As part of a visitor project carried out from 2017 to 2021, it was equipped with lighting, benches and waste bins. The project also included two viewing points, and two children’s playgrounds were built alongside the promenade. Its length and various stops give the lakeshore its own appeal beyond swimming and nature watching.

Cycling Routes and Waterside Excursions

Legrad is the endpoint of the Tour de Mur cycling route. There, it connects with the Drava Route and the Iron Curtain Trail, also known as EuroVelo 13. The Drava Route opened in 2002 as the region’s first signposted cycling route and is part of this international cycling corridor. If you are planning a cycling tour, check the current signage and route conditions.

The excursion destination “Aquaterra adventure”, also called “AquaTerra lake resort”, is located at Šoderica beach. Its activities include an adventure park, paintball for adults and children, a zipline, archery and children’s playgrounds. Before visiting, check whether it is currently operating and open to the public.

Another excursion destination is Halasz Csarda, at the former confluence of the Mura and Drava rivers. The area includes Sip beach, which residents of Legrad use for recreation and swimming in summer. It is also the setting for a traditional river crossing by ferry to Hungary: residents cross the river twice a year, on the feast day of Saint Anne in July and the feast day of Saint Michael in September. Check current ferry services before planning a crossing; the tradition alone does not indicate whether visitors can take part.

“Ljeto na Šoderici” has been held regularly at the lake since 2009. The programme includes theatre performances, music, sport fishing competitions, and other cultural and sports and recreational activities. Check the current annual programme before travelling. In July 2023, Legrad also hosted an event as part of the 16th edition of the International Folklore Festival “Iz bakine škrinje”.

Legrad: History and Cultural Sites

Legrad, the seat of the municipality, has been mentioned in historical records since 1384 and was granted the status of a market town in the 15th century. The Church of the Holy Trinity was built between 1769 and 1784. Due to its size and late Baroque appearance, it is known locally as the “Podravska Cathedral”. The Evangelical Church has been under provisional heritage protection since 2007; the Evangelical parish of Legrad is one of Croatia’s oldest Lutheran congregations.

The school museum in the old school building brings together former teaching materials, books and old records. The memorial rooms dedicated to Marija Bango focus on the life and work of the writer and educator from Legrad; they opened as an exhibition space on 26 January 2018. The memorial collection of the Legrad Volunteer Fire Brigade also offers insight into local history: it documents the fire brigade association founded in 1884 and includes a flag from 1899, considered one of Croatia’s oldest surviving fire brigade flags. If you would like to visit the museum or memorial rooms, check visiting arrangements in advance.

The former Novi Zrin fortress in Veliki Pažut is also part of the area’s earlier history. It existed from 1661 to 1664, and a memorial obelisk marks its site. Basket weaving with willow rods is a living craft tradition. It continues to be developed in Općina Legrad and is taken up as a possible workshop topic.

Discover more destinations: Legrad, Općina Drnje, Općina Križevci, Općina Kalnik, Općina Gola, Općina Kloštar Podravski, Općina Sveti Ivan Žabno, Općina Koprivnica.

See the broader travel overview: Koprivnica-Križevci County.