How it happened that thermal water started running instead of oil…

The exceptionally rich high-mineralization thermal water was discovered in 1911 when the English Hungarian company called London Budapest explored this area in search for oil. To their surprise, thermal water started running in stead of oil.

The locals soon discovered the healing properties of the water and in 1936 built one wooden pool of 3 m in width and 4 m in length and one covered pool, and installed seven soaking baths. Due to its high mineralization properties and the presence of carbon-dioxide, this thermomineral water became attractive as drinking water and therefore bottled. It was called the Međimurje Iodine Spring Selnica - Sv. Martin na Muri and bottled until the Second World War. It was also distributed in bottles of 1.44 liters as Međimurje Mineral Spring of Vučkovec.

In 1945, after the Second World War, the state confiscated the spa in the name of -protecting the national honor-. In 1950, it passed briefly into private ownership, to be later managed by the union and then the Čakovec-based Union Company until 1985. After that time, the spa started deteriorating. The inventory and the bathtubs were sold at auction. After the free elections and the fall of Yugoslavia, the property was briefly owned (for a couple of years) by the Toplice Company.

In 1996, the spa was purchased by the Modeks Company that built a swimming area. The pools, surrounding buildings, dressing rooms, sanitary facilities and the boiler room were renovated, the access road asphalted and a restaurant opened. Until 2003, when the present owners took over, the spa was called the Vučkovec Spa (Toplice Vučkovec) and operated only during the summer season as an outdoor swimming complex with three pools and a restaurant.

In 2003, the spa was renamed to the Sveti Martin Spa (Toplice Sveti Martin). The following years were characterized by intensive business and tourism development. By gradually increasing its recognizability first and foremost on the basis of the natural attributes of the environment, the kindness of staff and the quality of service, the Spa became one of the leading continental tourism destinations. Together with the newly built hotel and golf course, the Spa represents the largest continental tourism project with over HRK 300 million invested so far and over 200 employees. Considering the fact that prior to the commencement of the project, there had only been one outdoor pool on the site, this represents one of the largest green-field investments in Croatia as well. A step forward in the quality of the offer which can now satisfy the high-class domestic and international visitors has been accompanied by an adequate change of brand name into the Sveti Martin Spa & Golf Resort, which is expected to become a synonym for high-quality continental tourism offer in Croatia and the neighboring countries.

How it happened that golf holes were built instead of oil rigs...

The Sveti Martin Spa & Golf Resort development project and the gradual transformation of the same into a rich complex in terms of both amenities and facilities has been envisaged as a four-phase project and is thus being implemented in four carefully planned phases of capital investments into infrastructure and personnel. We can proudly say that the first three phases have been successfully completed. In 2005, the spa already included an apartment complex, covered pools, an aqua park with toboggans, a pub and a beauty center. Afterwards, the restaurant was expanded and an additional restaurant, a wellness center, outdoor pools, a shopping center and sports facilities built. The newly built sports hall is suitable for professional athletes preparation activities and sporting pleasures of recreation lovers. It includes a court with a movable grandstand, dressing rooms, a fitness and martial arts center, and facilities reserved for trainers and coaches. The new 9-hole golf course is one of the first courses with heated greens made of artificial grass in Europe, thus ensuring nature preservation as fewer pesticides are used as well as year-round operation. 20 luxurious villas are being built in the area above the course which will be put for sale. The fourth phase includes the construction of yet another hotel and an amusement center as well as construction of a separate complex in accordance with the detailed plan. The end results of the fourth phase include 1000 beds and up to 200,000 overnight stays. If achieved, the Međimurje County will become one of the strongest continental counties in terms of the number of overnight stays.

In addition to the Regina Apartment Complex as of 2009 the Spa & Golf Resort includes a newly built 4-star hotel, the Spa Golfer, with a capacity of 320 beds (151 modernly furnished rooms and 6 suites) and an innovative wellness center on an area of 1,800 sq m which creates unity of body and mind through holistic programs, individual approach and modern equipment. The educated and kind staff is the final touch in the transformation of this unique wellness center into a magical source of beauty and pleasure.

The projects are being executed in accordance with the phase-based forecasts and plans and hence development goals are being achieved. The current status of the Sveti Martin Spa & Golf Resort shows that it is getting close to achieving the vision.