Legrad (pronounced [lěɡrad]) is a village and municipality in northern Croatia, located north of Koprivnica and east of Ludbreg in the Koprivnica–Križevci County. It lies near the confluence of the Drava and Mura rivers, adjacent to the Hungarian border.
Geography and Administration
The municipality covers an area of 62.2 km² (24.0 sq mi), with the urban settlement of Legrad itself covering 33.5 km² (12.9 sq mi). The municipality comprises seven settlements: Antolovec, Kutnjak, Legrad, Mali Otok, Selnica Podravska, Veliki Otok, and Zablatje.
Demographics
According to the 2021 census, the municipality had a total population of 1,916 inhabitants, with 862 residing in the main settlement of Legrad. The population is overwhelmingly Croatian (94.57%), with the largest minority being Romani (2.14%). The municipality has experienced steady population decline since the mid-20th century, dropping from a peak of 5,891 residents in 1921 to 1,916 in 2021.
History
Due to its favorable geographical position at the confluence of two rivers, Legrad became a chartered market town as early as 1488. Beginning in the mid-16th century, fortifications were built to protect the town from Ottoman incursions. By the 17th century, Legrad had developed into a major trading post for cattle, attracting merchants from Venice and other parts of Italy. The highly profitable cattle trade was run by the Zrinski family, who used the proceeds to finance their standing army and defense against the Ottomans. In 1771, Legrad and neighboring villages recorded a population of as many as 6,039 inhabitants. Cattle fairs in Legrad remained relevant into the 18th and 19th centuries.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Legrad was part of the Zala County of the Kingdom of Hungary. The historic fortress of Novi Zrin was located near Legrad.
Recent Developments
Since 2018, the municipality of Legrad has attracted international media attention for offering houses for sale at a symbolic price of 13 euro cents (approximately $0.15) as part of an initiative to combat depopulation. The program has been covered by outlets such as CNBC and Forbes.
