October 15, 2020 – Continuing our tour of Croatia’s miracle town in the TCN One Minute Ludbreg series, a visit to one of the quietest but also liveliest parts of town – Otok Mladosti, the Island of Youth.
Ludbreg is a town like no other I have come across in Croatia.
On the surface, it looks like a regular, unremarkable town, but it does not take long to discover that things are a little different there.
Its more famous claim, of course, is that it is the centre of the world, and you can visit the very centre on the main square. But just 30 metres from the centre is the Eucharistic Miracle of Ludbreg, the only certified miracle in all Croatia. Cross the street towards Batthyany Palace and you can visit the pretty chapel where the miracle took place, as well as wonder at the incredible work of the Ludbreg Restoration Centre, one of the most important restoration centres in this part of Europe. Wander along the road to a nearby park and find a church there, which was built in 1994 following a government promise made way back in 1738. And only used once a year, when 100,000 people come for the first weekend in September.
Otok Mladosti, the Island of Youth, is also a little different. Located a short walk along the River Bednja to the south of the island, Otok Mladosti can be either the most tranquil place in Ludbreg, or the biggest party.
It is in fact not an island, more a peninsula, but it offers idyllic nature with its woods and lake. A great place to come and fish, or simply get lost in the woods and its quiet, compelling nature.
But Otok Mladosti also has a very different side, for it is a great place to party. Many events are held there each year, including the annual Crazy Island electronic music festival each year. The town recently got ownership of Otok Mladosti, and they have some great plans, so stay tuned…
Check out Otok Mladosti in the latest in our series of One Minute Ludbreg videos below, as well as the rest of the videos published so far below that.
To learn more about Ludbreg beyond its stereotype as the centre of the world, read Marc Rowlands’ Ludbreg, the Croatian Road Less Travelled.
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