Municipality of Orehovica: Chapels, History and Waterside Places

The Municipality of Orehovica lies in the southern part of Međimurje County and comprises the settlements of Orehovica, Podbrest and Vularija. The area was first mentioned in 1232 as the Vezmić estate on the Drava River. The Municipality of Orehovica is one of 13 municipalities in Međimurje County located within the Mura–Drava Regional Park. The three place names offer a useful framework for understanding the municipality’s historical and water-related themes.

Waterside Places and Recreation

A recreational fishing pond lies within the municipality, north of Podbrest. Jezerčica is a remnant of an old side channel of the Drava. A designated recreational zone is located at the Mičigen recreational pond. These names refer to different things: a fishing pond, an old river channel and a recreational zone at the Mičigen pond.

The origins of the Diver fishing association are also part of this theme: it was founded to turn an abandoned gravel pit into a fishing oasis. Parking is available along the access road to the Mičigen recreational zone near Podbrest. This gives you practical guidance if waterside places and recreation in the municipality are among your travel interests.

Chapels and History

In Vularija, the Chapel of the Sacred Heart was built in 1948 on the site of a chapel dating from the second half of the 19th century. The Chapel of the Holy Trinity in Orehovica is mentioned in 1864. Podbrest has the Chapel of Saint John of Nepomuk, with the saint’s original statue from 1874. The dates refer to different things: 1948 is the year the chapel in Vularija was built, 1864 is the year the chapel in Orehovica was mentioned, and 1874 is the year of the statue in Podbrest.

Members of the Zrinski family stayed at the manor house in Vularija. Vularija was also one of 17 places in Međimurje selected for information boards about the history of the Zrinski period. If you are interested in this historical trail, check on site which boards are still in place.

Community Life and Orehijada

Local cultural life includes KUD “Fijolica”, with drama, folklore and tambura music sections. The association’s activities and structure may change over time. Since 2014, Orehijada has been organized by KUD Fijolica Orehovica and the Municipality of Orehovica; its events include an international folklore gathering.

The 2026 edition opened with an ethnographic exhibition of old objects illustrating life in Međimurje in the past. The market also featured local products and handicrafts presented by local associations and family businesses. These program details may vary at future editions.

Planning Your Trip

A cycling tour reported in 2026 started in Vularija and finished at Lake Mičigen. It was attended by recreational cyclists, families with children and experienced cyclists. If you would like to plan your trip around a future edition, check the dates in advance; the participants may vary.

If you would like to include Orehijada in your plans, check the dates of the next edition when planning your trip.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Orehovica, Municipality of Gornji Mihaljevec, Municipality of Sveti Juraj Na Bregu, Municipality of Selnica, Municipality of Vratišinec.

Go to the main travel overview: Međimurska.