In the Municipality of Legrad, a protected river landscape, Lake Šoderica and a rich cultural heritage come together. About one third of the municipality’s area lies within Mura-Drava Regional Park. This gives you a choice of different travel experiences: nature by the water, cycling connections and the history of Legrad.
Šoderica: Waterside Landscape and Promenade
Over time, the man-made Lake Šoderica has developed distinctive aquatic and wetland vegetation. It serves as a breeding and wintering ground for birds and provides habitat for many other aquatic and wetland species. If you’re interested in the area’s natural side, this is a place where the landscape reflects both human use and diverse habitats.
A visitor project implemented from February 2017 to January 2021 included the construction of a 1.5-kilometre promenade along the lake. It was equipped with lighting, benches and litter bins; the project also included two viewpoints and two children’s playgrounds. Ten electric bicycles and a hybrid vehicle for transporting visitors were also purchased. Other project components included an action plan for visitor management in the Municipality of Legrad and training for three people as tour guides and natural heritage interpreters for the Mura-Drava Regional Park area.
Sip Beach is also part of the Halasz Csarda excursion area, at the former confluence of the Mura and Drava rivers. Legrad residents use the beach for recreation and swimming in summer. If you’re planning a day of swimming, check the current conditions on site. At Halasz Csarda, a ferry crossing to Hungary is also part of local tradition: twice a year, residents of Legrad cross over on the feast day of Saint Anne in July and the feast day of Saint Michael in September. Check the current ferry arrangements in advance if you’d like to include these dates in your travel plans.
Cycling Routes and Summer Events
For a cycling trip, the connection between the routes is a useful landmark: the Tour de Mur ends in Legrad, where it meets the Drava Route and the Iron Curtain Trail (EuroVelo 13). The Drava Route opened in 2002 as the region’s first signposted cycling route and is part of the international EuroVelo 13 cycling corridor, also known as the Iron Curtain Trail. Since signage and surface conditions can change, check the latest route information before setting out.
Summer events at the lake include “Ljeto na Šoderici.” Held regularly during the summer months since 2009, it features theatre, music, sport fishing competitions and other cultural and sports-recreational activities. If you’re planning a specific visit, check the current programme and dates.
Legrad’s History and Cultural Heritage
Legrad has been documented since 1384 and received the status of a market town in the 15th century. The Church of the Holy Trinity is a prominent link to the area’s history: built between 1769 and 1784, it is one of the largest churches in Podravina. Because of its size and late Baroque appearance, residents call it “Podravska katedrala” (Podravina Cathedral).
The Evangelical church is also part of the town’s history. The building has been under provisional heritage protection since 2007; the Evangelical congregation of Legrad is one of the oldest Lutheran congregations in Croatia. The school museum in the old school building displays teaching materials, books and old records. A dedicated memorial room focuses on Marija Bango, a writer and educator from Legrad. It opened as an exhibition space on 26 January 2018.
The Voluntary Fire Brigade of Legrad offers another glimpse into the history of local associations. Its memorial collection tells the story of the fire brigade association, founded in 1884. Notable exhibits include an association flag from 1899, considered one of the oldest surviving fire brigade flags in Croatia. The former Novi Zrin fortress stood in Veliki Pažut from 1661 to 1664; a memorial obelisk marks the site.
Folklore is also connected with Legrad: in July 2023, the first festival event of the 16th edition of the international folklore festival “Iz bakine škrinje” was held there. Along with the churches, collections and historic sites, it offers a different way to experience the area from its riverbanks and cycling routes.
Discover more destinations: Legrad, Municipality of Kalnik, Municipality of Križevci, Municipality of Kloštar Podravski, Municipality of Sveti Petar Orehovec, Municipality of Koprivnica, Municipality of Hlebine, Municipality of Sveti Ivan Žabno.
For the broader travel overview: Koprivnica-Križevci County.
