Vrbovec

Summary

Vrbovec (Croatian pronunciation: [ʋr̂boʋet͡s]) is a town in Zagreb County, Croatia, lying to the northeast of the capital Zagreb.

Vrbovec
Grad Vrbovec
Town of Vrbovec
Vrbovec Town Stadium
Vrbovec Town Stadium
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Vrbovec
Vrbovec
Location of Vrbovec in Croatia
Coordinates: 45°53′N 16°26′E / 45.883°N 16.433°E / 45.883; 16.433
Country Croatia
County Zagreb
Government
 • MayorDenis Kralj (SDP)
Area
 • Town160.9 km2 (62.1 sq mi)
 • Urban
10.4 km2 (4.0 sq mi)
Highest elevation
125 m (410 ft)
Population
 (2021)[2]
 • Town12,981
 • Density81/km2 (210/sq mi)
 • Urban
4,551
 • Urban density440/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
10340
Area code01
Vehicle registrationZG
Websitevrbovec.hr

Geography edit

The town of Vrbovec lies to the north-east of Zagreb, either 32 km (20 mi) along the A4 motorway and the D10 expressway or 40 km (25 mi) by the old Zagreb – Dugo Selo – Bjelovar road, and by train on the direction M201 railway (Botovo – Dugo Selo).

Population edit

In the 2011 Croatian census, the total population of the administrative territory of Vrbovec was 14,797;[3] in the 2021 Croatian census it was 13,052, in the following settlements:[4]

In 2011, 97.66% of the population were Croats.[5]

Town of Vrbovec: Population trends 1857–2021
population
6143
6523
6892
8526
9912
11723
11769
12225
12698
12881
12694
12176
12938
13303
14658
14797
12981
18571869188018901900191019211931194819531961197119811991200120112021
Sources: Croatian Bureau of Statistics publications

Administration edit

Town government, court, police, health and postal services are the part of infrastructure of Vrbovec. From 2001 to 2005 the mayor was Zlatko Herček (HSS). He was succeeded by Vladimir Bregović (HDZ) in 2005. After 12 years in office Mayor Bregović was succeeded in 2017 by Denis Kralj (SDP). Kralj won the highest number of votes in the second round elections since the introduction of direct elections for mayor in Vrbovec.

History edit

 
Vrbovec in 1740

Vrbovec was first mentioned in written documents dated April 21, 1244. The document today lies in the Archbishop's archive in Zagreb, in serial Privilegialia. It was published by Croatian-Hungarian King Bela III (IV), where feudal field was given to the countman Junk, the son of Izak from Ravno (village), whose right are confirmed from the Koloman (brother of King Bela). The countman Junk was the higher officer at Križevci's county.

A mid-air airplane collision occurred near Vrbovec on September 10, 1976.[6]

Economy edit

The main industries in Vrbovec are the production of meat and meat products. The most importact local employer is Meat Industry PIK Vrbovec, which employs 1,600 people. As a part of the conglomeration ForteNova group, it has become a very important producer of meat in Croatia. Other companies are PosPlast, Bravel, Oprema-group, smaller companies which are growing at the old industrial zone, as followers of ex-companies such were it: Šavrić/Pevex, Gradip (brick makers), and Oprema. There is the society of small Private entrepreneurs of Vrbovec, too. Their production are mostly for parts for different European's industries.

A large co-operation around Vrbovec at the agriculture fields are continuing to exist in the modern times, despite the depopulation of the local villages and less interest of young people for the work in fields.

 
Tower of Petar Zrinski

Sights edit

Notable buildings in Vrbovec include the Mausoleum of family De Piennes in the local cemetery. the Tower of Petar Zrinski in Vrbovec, the castle of Patačić in Vrbovec, the castle of Lovrečina Grad, and the church of Saint Vitus in Vrbovec.

 
Church of Saint Vitus, 15th to 19th century

Education edit

The first elementary school was founded in 1669. Today Vrbovec has two elementary schools named 1st. and 2nd. Vrbovec school, and one high-school, which includes large choice of education from classical gymnasium to the industrial orientation.

In Vrbovec is active Pučko Otvoreno Učilište (public open college), where additional education is possible to be obtained. Different courses helps to the local community in change of own wishes for the knowledge.

The university doesn't exist in Vrbovec, mostly students are going naturally to Zagreb. Reach by train or bus, its half-to-one-hour travel to the University in Zagreb.

Culture edit

Vrbovec has got a local small cinema, culture-art society HKUD "Petar Zrinski", a library, a radio station Vrbovec, and the people's university of Vrbovec. There is no local TV station, theatre (opera) or university. People travel to Zagreb as the centre of these activities.

"Kaj su jeli naši stari" is the main traditional annual event in Vrbovec. Usually, last week-end of August, this manifestation is a chance to see whole town at one place.

Another important date is June 15, the town day, and the celebration of Saint Vitus, the protector of Vrbovec.

Vrbovečka udruga mladih is an organisation very popular among the younger people of Vrbovec.

Sport edit

The local football club is NK Vrbovec, of the Croatian Third League. There is also the KK Petar Zrinski basketball club and the HK Vrbovec wrestling club.

Notable people edit

Twin towns – sister cities edit

Vrbovec is twinned with:[7]

References edit

  1. ^ Register of spatial units of the State Geodetic Administration of the Republic of Croatia. Wikidata Q119585703.
  2. ^ "Population by Age and Sex, by Settlements, 2021 Census". Census of Population, Households and Dwellings in 2021. Zagreb: Croatian Bureau of Statistics. 2022.
  3. ^ "Population by Age and Sex, by Settlements, 2011 Census: Vrbovec". Census of Population, Households and Dwellings 2011. Zagreb: Croatian Bureau of Statistics. December 2012.
  4. ^ "SI-1711 Popis stanovnistva, kucanstava i stanova 2021. Prvi rezultati po naseljima" (PDF). podaci.dzs.hr. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  5. ^ "Population by Ethnicity, by Towns/Municipalities, 2011 Census: County of Zagreb". Census of Population, Households and Dwellings 2011. Zagreb: Croatian Bureau of Statistics. December 2012.
  6. ^ "Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Flight Safety Foundation. 8 July 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  7. ^ "Zbratimljeni gradovi". vrbovec.hr (in Croatian). Vrbovec. Retrieved 2020-11-20.

External links edit

  • Official website (in Croatian)