Particle in general
In the far northwest of Croatia, partly on gentle wine-growing hills and partly in a fertile plain along the course of the naturally beautiful Drava River, lies the municipality of Cestica, which has 5,433 inhabitants according to the last census in twenty settlements. It covers an area of 46 km² (4,591 ha), which is about 3.8% of the area of Varaždin County. The length of the municipal border is 35 km.
It borders the municipalities of Petrijanec, Donja Voća and Vinica and to a large extent with the Republic of Slovenia, specifically with the municipalities of Zavrč, Gorišnica and Ormož. The municipality of Cestica is probably best known for its two international border crossings with the Republic of Slovenia: Dubrava Križovljanska – Zavrč (about 2.5 million domestic and foreign passengers cross it annually) for passenger and goods traffic, and Otok Virje – Ormož for passenger traffic. There is also a third minor border crossing Križanče – Drenovec, which is located on the tri-border of the municipalities of Cestica, Donja Voća and Zavrč. The length of the state border is 18 km.
History of the municipality of Cestica
The name Cestica is linked to the old Roman road Ptuj–Osijek. The oldest records record two ancient settlements in this area – Ramista (today's Dubrava Križovljanska) and Anicij (today's Babinec). Archaeological excavations in these settlements have yielded valuable finds, such as a pillar with an inscription and 109 silver coins, although some finds have been lost over time or have only been recorded in the Journal of the Archaeological Society.
The then municipality of Križovljan Cestica covered an area of about 39 km², and its 16 villages and the Križovljangrad manor had a population of 4,230. The first notary (chief) was Karlo Tomažić. The municipality did not have its own police station, but used the Vinica police station, as well as the post office and the district court.
It was not until 1886 that the Law on the Organization of Counties was passed in Croatia. Varaždin County at that time consisted of six administrative municipalities: Jalžabet, Šemovec, Vinica, Vidovec, Biškupec and Petrijanec. In 1906, a seventh municipality – Križovljan Cestica – was separated from Vinica, which included the tax municipalities of Babinec, Dubrava Križovljanska, Natkrižovljan and Radovec.
After World War I, municipalities were abolished and Local People's Committees were established. In 1952, the village of Gornje Vratno was subsequently annexed to the municipality of Cestica. After the dissolution of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, in 1993, the Republic of Croatia passed the Law on the Territories of Counties, Cities and Municipalities, which granted the municipality of Cestica the status of an independent municipality.
Coat of arms and flag of the municipality of Cestica
By a decision of the Ministry of Administration in 1997, the municipality of Cestica was granted a coat of arms and a flag. The blue color of the shield with a white cross signifies the spiritual life of the inhabitants of this region, based on the high human and moral values of the Catholic Church, while the green three-ridge symbolizes the configuration of the terrain and the agricultural activity of the population. The vine signifies the wine-growing region and the historical connection of Cestica with the municipality of Vinica. The conceptual design was provided by the parish priest Ivan Košić, and the graphic design was created by Krunoslav Čolo.
Activities of associations and cultural life in the municipality of Cestica
There are a total of 26 associations operating in the Cestica municipality, of which 6 are voluntary fire departments and 7 football clubs, 4 of which are larger. Among the fire departments, the following stand out: DVD Babinec, DVD Gornje Vratno, DVD Gradišće, DVD Križovljan Cestica, DVD Lovrečan-Dubrava and DVD Virje Križovljansko, while the coordination of all the societies is under the Fire Department of the Cestica municipality.
Sports and cultural life is enriched by the Sports Recreation Society “Vrtovi Vratno”, the Cultural and Artistic Association of the Municipality of Cestica, the Hunting Society “Cestica”, the Hunting Society “Sveti Hubert”, MNK Kolarovec, MNK Lovrečan, NK “Bratstvo”, NK “Dinamo” Babinec, NK “Polet” Cestica, NK “Vratno”, SRK “Općine Cestica 1995” and the Sports Recreation Society “Poleti”. Other active associations include the Youth Association hiperAKTIVNI Cestica, the Handicraft Association “Vezilje”, the Association of Traditional Customs “Pingo” Cestica, the Association of Pensioners of the Municipality of Cestica, the Association of Winegrowers and Winemakers “Sveti Martin” Cestica, and the association for children with disabilities and people with disabilities “Život i radost”, as well as the Association For Life.
The Cultural and Artistic Society of the Cestica Municipality began its work in early 1998 and operates in several sections: folklore, tamburitza players, two groups of small folklorists and the Stellarium women's choir. The folk costumes of the Cestica region, simple and modest, are the pride of the residents, who lovingly highlight their beauty and tradition.
Agriculture and viticulture
Thanks to its favorable geographical location, all types of cereals, various vegetable crops and vines thrive in this area. The population is mainly engaged in agriculture, crop farming, livestock breeding and especially viticulture, which has a long tradition. The beginnings of viticulture date back to the Celts, and after them the Romans continued to develop this activity. With the arrival of the Slavs, the viticulture tradition continued until the present day. An old legend says that between the church of St. Barbara in Cirkulane in Slovenia and the church of St. Barbara in Natkrižovljan, the best vines grow, from which the Romans produced wine that they transported to Rome under military escort. During the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, the same wine was poured at the imperial court in Vienna. Today, the Klampotic Wine Route is located in the Cestica municipality, established in 2009 with the aim of better synergy of tourist flows in Varaždin County. Signposts on the wine-growing hills along the border with Slovenia lead to 10 wine cellars, which meet all the criteria for accommodating guests. The owners are proud of their top-quality wine varieties such as Graševina, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Traminer, Rhine Riesling and Muscat. The Association of Winegrowers and Winemakers “Sveti Martin” Cestica was founded in 1996 with the aim of improving the wine-growing and winemaking industry. The association actively promotes and develops the interests of the wine-growing region through education, professional support and cooperation with other organizations. The implementation of the Klampotic Wine Road has further enriched the capacities for tourism development, and the local gastronomic
Traditional gastronomy
The full enjoyment of local wines is achieved with indigenous dishes such as meat from banjica, cheese with cream, sausages, buncek with cabbage, homemade bread made from corn, barley and rye flour, and desserts such as štrukli, zlevanka, postruška, poppy seed and walnut cakes. These specialties further emphasize the hospitality of the hosts and the rich tradition of this region.
Tourism development
The municipality of Cestica boasts numerous qualities: beautiful nature, favorable geographical location, and cultural and historical heritage (manors, Križovljangrad Castle, religious buildings). Wine-growing hills, the Drava River, and various events create the perfect combination for the development of tourism, suitable for all generations.
A special atmosphere is provided by catering facilities with traditional food and local wines. By developing infrastructure and projects, including the construction of a campsite and autocamp, the municipality of Cestica is further strengthening its tourism potential. Associations actively contribute to the development of social, cultural and sporting life through their work, representing the municipality throughout Croatia and abroad.
