Today, I’d like to take you to a part of Europe, a place very close to my heart, where I’ve spent 22 years of my life. I’ll be talking about my hometown and its surrounding area. Not to worry, there will be many photos included in this article for you to enjoy and get the feeling of how so-called eastern part of Europe is different to what many might expect it to be. Most photos will be from our trip as a family visiting Martjanci.
No article can begin by the present time, and that my friends is me now, living 1200 miles away from where I grew up. As well as sharing photos, I'll say a few words about it all in general, so you get at least some kind of perspective.
Manchester - UK to Martjanci - Slovenia is approx. 1200 miles (1930km), it'll take you a while to drive there, and instead of driving we rather fly, I'd presume you'd do that too. Closest airport to my hometown is situated in Graz - Austria, about 70-ish miles (115km) away.
Around the world, many individuals are still unfamiliar with a country called Slovenia, even more so, probably don't know it is there. To be honest, it's a slight shame, and on the other hand, we just might be too small and unimportant for people to know we exist. I mean, you should see my wife's face when we met and I told her I'm from Slovenia.
My hometown is nothing short of being tiny, everyone knows everyone and I wouldn't be surprised if my fellow neighbours (back then) knew things related to me before I would. All joking aside, town of Martjanci is a close community, warm and understanding place that lives in the present as much as enjoys the its cultural past. Its population size isn't something anyone of us born there would ever think of, nor would be able to give a specific number of how many live there. At time of my birth, it was probably a home to around 500 people; fast-forward to present, it's probably doubled in size now. Situated between its region’s biggest city Murska Sobota to the west, and well-known tourist hotspot Moravske Toplice to the east, it has become a place much desired by people from abroad to buy a plot of land and build a house.
As mentioned before, it's a small town, more likely a proper term for it is to be called a village. Martjanci is mostly known for its parish church which is situated in the heart of the village, and it dates back to 14th century. Church is dedicated to Saint Martin from which the name of the village originates. As a child, I've spent many early morning weekends in that church with my parents as we were all raised (the whole village) in a religious manner.
Town is not famous only by its old and full of gold relics church, but also by a species of birds, namely Storks. For centuries, these birds have been nesting on a chimney of an old building situated next to the parish church. More specifically, building has become a protected site not only for it being very old but, it's a home to a family of storks year after year.
People in Martjanci speak Slovenian language as well as their slang called Prekmurscina, word taken from the region it is located in, called Prekmurje. Martjanci is situated roughly 15-20 minutes from the borders of three different countries; Austria to the North, Hungary to the East and Croatia to the South. Most of the population in this part of Slovenia can speak at least two out of three neighbouring country's language. I've learned how to speak German and Croatian language as a child just by living close to these countries. Sadly, Hungarian has proven to be to hard language to learn, and as you do, I've have only managed to pick up silly words from it.
As mentioned above in the article, we've also ventured to two neighbouring towns, Murska Sobota and Moravske Toplice. Both are easily accessible by foot as there are footpaths and cycling lanes everywhere, thus making it easier for the tourists as well as for the locals to move around and about. Without further ado, here are some of the photographs taken by me or my family member throughout the years, and include me, my family member, and my friends.
A trip visiting my hometown has to start somewhere, and that somewhere is taking a two-hour flight from Manchester - UK to Graz - Austria. (August, 2017)
House I grew up (the one on the left) and a space available to me to play when I was a child, which I only came to appreciate when I moved to a country with tiny gardens. (June, 2010)
My daughter and I flattening the grass instead of actually cutting it. Lawn mower like this is pretty much the only way someone will be cutting their lawn around there. (August, 2012)
Photo taken a few years later from the same spot as the one above where my daughter and I sit on the lawn mower, but crops already harvested. (August 2017)
(June 2010)
A view from the house balcony years apart on the photos above and below.
(August 2017)
Walking on one of many footpaths connecting towns and villages in the area. Walking from Martjanci towards Moravske Toplice. (August 2012)
Just outside the town of Moravske Toplice and my wife hugging the sign. (August 2012)
5-star Hotel Livada Prestige in Moravske Toplice. (August 2012)
5-star Hotel Livada Prestige in Moravske Toplice. (August 2012)
Evangelical church, built in 17th century, located in Moravske Toplice - Slovenia. (August 2012)
This time we're in a city of Murska Sobota, and no visit is complete without stopping for a cup of coffee. (August 2017)
Sitting in one of the bars (bar called Orange), located in the shopping district on the outskirts of the city of Murska Sobota. (August 2017)
Hiring a bike in the city centre in Murska Sobota. Pay and return, well ,you know how it goes. (August 2017)
Stopping in one of many restaurants in the area of the town of Murska Sobota, local cuisine. (August 2017)
City of Murska Sobota has a few smaller parks with its major park situated right in the centre of the city. Interesting fact: in the centre of this particular park is located a castle, which is a home to many amenities i.e. library, theatre, bars, outdoor cinema, playgrounds, cultural societies, charities, and more. (August 2017)
My wife sitting on the bench next to the pond which is located in front of the park's castle. (August 2017)
Nothing more convenient then having Slovenia's largest thermal resort a stone throw away from where I grew up. On the photo are my wife (sitting on the edge of the pool) and my daughter (with swimming goggles). (August 2012)
Father (me) to the rescue after a call from my daughter as she ventured to the part of the pool slightly too deep for her. (August 2012)
After swimming, a plate of good food (known for this area of the country) was much needed! So, this was my daughter's concerned face after ordering a child's portion and receiving a bit more than she could handle. No worries, father (again, me) was there to help. (August 2012)
And since swimming in the pool at the resort wasn't enough, there's always a pool to be inflated in the garden. (August 2012)
And as we all can relate; when it's time to leave, there will always be one who doesn't want to go. In this case, it was my back then 3-year-old daughter. (August 2012)
Note:
I have added a link to Wikipedia site about Martjanci, where you're able to see the church and the building right next to it with a storks nest on top of the chimney - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martjanci
As a member of a local community Martjanci, I've asked and of course was granted the permission to provide a link to community's Facebook website, as to why not to promote the tourism. So, in case, you want to see more of what has been going on in Martjanci throughout the year and before, please visit - https://www.facebook.com/ksmartjanci/photos/1508532656065850 ** (I've specifically used the link that shows the photo of the town/village of Martjanci, but, you can access its Facebook site from there as everyone's welcome).**
At this point I'd like to explain again, that I was born and grew up in Martjanci, so the facts mentioned above about the village/town and what it's known for, are all coming from my head. Some can be confirmed in more detailed version on the Wikipedia page link provided.
Nothing in this post has been taken from any other source than my personal photo collection on my social media accounts. Words are all mine, with certain facts in the article widely known.
Thanks for stopping by and take care.