The first train whistle in Croatia was heard 156 years ago in Međimurje.
Railway transport in Medjimurje has always had great significance, and the fact that it was built exactly 156 years ago makes it the oldest railway line in Croatia. On April 24th, 1860, the first line was opened from Kotoriba over Čakovec to Macinec, connecting Nagykanizsa/ Hungary and the town of Pragersko in Slovenia.
To mark the occasion, on April 24, 2016, an opening ceremony of the exhibition “Trains in Medjimurje” was held at the railway station Čakovec. The exhibition was produced jointly by six State Archives, which are located in the border area of Croatia and Slovenia.
“The aim of the project was to emphasize the importance of the railway line connecting these areas, not only in terms of transporting people and goods but also the way in which the social life developed along the railway,” explained exhibition author Jasmina Sedmak, adding that it is a representation of two stripes, one of the oldest from 1860, and economic railway connecting Čakovec with Mursko Sredisce to Lendava/ Slovenia.
Franjo Hiržin (Envoy of Railways infrastructure, also the director of the Regional Unit North), pointed out that the railways gave new life to Medjimurje.
“When a machine whistle was heard for the first time in Croatia 156 years ago, right here in Međimurje, it launched a new way of life that nobody could have imagined before this occasion,” said Hiržin.
“We, the Međimurci know that we are first in Croatia in many things, and the oldest railway line is only a confirmation of that,” said the deputy mayor Zoran Vidovic, emphasizing that this is a bright example of Međimurje as a county which, even today, sets new trends.
After a short ceremony, they all went on a train running between Čakovec – Macinec and stopped in Dunjkovec where the Railway Museum, was officially opened.
This railway station or “vahta” as they call it is of great significance for Međimurje and represents an important historical value. You can see the permanent exhibition, dedicated to all railway workers at the Čakovec Railway Station.
