People
Meet the people of hilly Međimurje
The Štrigovčani
Across the centuries, many great peoples left their mark on Upper Međimurje, among them most notably the Romans. Over time, new settlements were established around the village of Štrigova. The more recent history of this region was shaped by the mighty Counts of Celje, with Međimurje as part of their vast territory. During their rule, architecture flourished, marked by the construction of landmarks such as the Church of St. Jerome in Štrigova. Today, the Municipality of Štrigova comprises ten villages, and the locals are commonly known as the Štrigovčani both in Međimurje and nationwide.
Facts and legends
Dragons and dark queens
Since ancient times, the people in Štrigova have listened closely to nature, living with it, and striving to understand it. All that was incomprehensible or supernatural, whether falling from the sky or rising from the earth, found its place in stories, legends, and myths. Even today, local tales mention forest dwarves, dragons known as pozoji, and the dark queens known as črne kraljice.
Saint Jerome, Josip Bedeković and Štrigova
Štrigova was called Stridon in Antiquity, and it was the birthplace of Saint Jerome of Stridon, according to his own writings. In his work, ‘De viris illustribus sive cathalogus de scriptoribus ecclesiasticis’, written in 392 AD, Jerome states he was born in the town of Stridon, in the borderland between Dalmatia and Pannonia. In 1447, Pope Nicholas V issued a papal bull, officially confirming the village of Štrigova in Međimurje as Jerome’s birthplace. A printed transcription of the decree was later published by Jesuit Mihael Bombardi in 1718, and again by the Pauline monk Josip Bedeković in 1752. Thus, the church in Štrigova was dedicated to Saint Jerome, becoming a site of pilgrimage. Since then, the Catholic Church has officially recognized Štrigova as his birthplace.
Treasures and riches
Since ancient times, the world has regarded Međimurje as a green oasis, where one can live peacefully, humbly and gracefully. Here, the spirit of the hillside people was conditioned by sky and land. With the passing of time, amid the daily care for loved ones and livelihood, their spirit was enriched by play, song, music, and the written word. The treasures of the spirit make the people of Štrigova proud hosts, welcoming everyone with kindness, sincerity, and unmistakable hospitality. Their heritage lives on through cherished customs and church traditions, upheld by the cultural association KUD Sveti Jeronim and the women's vocal group Stridone. And a truly unique feature awaits you in conversation with locals in the form of the authentic dialect of Štrigova, listed as Croatia’s intangible cultural heritage.
Notable people
Giants of Art and Intellect
Since the Renaissance, the walls of St. Jerome’s Church in Štrigova have been adorned with the frescoes by Ivan Ranger, a painter and Pauline monk. More recent history has been marked by the Pauline writer and builder Josip Bedeković, priests and authors Ivan Šimunić and Petar Berke, writer Josip Keresturi, and scientist dr. Vatroslav Vogrin.