Geographical Location: Beltinci Castle is situated in the heart of Pomurje, in the town of Beltinci, by the Mura River. It stands in a park in the center of the settlement, in the immediate vicinity of the Church of St. Ladislaus. Its location is characteristic of the Pannonian plain: the manor is surrounded by a baroque-style park, where numerous exotic species were planted among native trees.
History: The original manor is believed to have been built as early as the 13th century, but the present castle began to take shape in the early 16th century, constructed by the Banffy counts. In the 17th century, it was remodeled into a one-story manor with typical Pannonian architecture, a Renaissance castellum, and arcaded corridors.
Later, the ownership changed frequently: Banffy was succeeded by Francis Nadasdy, and subsequently by the families Széchényi, Ebergény, Csaky, Gyika, Sina, and Wimpffen. The last noble family was Zichy, who held the property until 1945.
A special feature of the castle are its underground vaulted passages: one connects the castle with the church, and another leads to the granary. At the corners, three round towers with conical roofs have been preserved.
The Healthcare Collection
The collection was created by Nikolaj Szepessy, a physician from Beltinci. His work is complemented by furniture from the former Bölcse pharmacy in Murska Sobota and the legacy of ophthalmologist Jože Pečan.
- Pharmacy section: Equipment from the sales area, jars, scales, and furniture (1892–1950).
- Trachoma clinic: A display showing equipment for treating trachoma, once widespread in the region.
- Folk medicine: Presentation of traditional healing practices typical of the rural Prekmurje region.
Present Use: Today it remains the cultural heart of Beltinci, housing permanent exhibitions, the salon of Maria Zichy, a wedding hall, and a restaurant.