Miholjanec

Miholjanec is a village in Croatia and one of the oldest settlements in the country. In 1923, Miholjanec celebrated its 750th anniversary, with guests dancing on a natural dance floor with natural acoustics, similar to an amphitheatre.

History

Ancient times

Miholjanec has been settled since at least the Iron Age. During the late Iron Age, the so-called bini populi ("two people") lived in the area that would eventually become Miholjanec. Historians are unclear on who exactly the bini populi were; through the years they have been variously identified as Latin Romans, Scythians, Hebrews, Greeks, Alans, Goths, and Germans. These people built a hill fort on a high plateau. The fort covered 6 hectares (15 acres) and was surrounded by a moat.

Middle Ages

In the 10th century, a vineyard was planted on a hill near Miholjanec. The vineyard's name is translated as is "the seat of the master of the mountain". This vinyard still stands today.

In 1160, a plot of land was donated to the Knights Templar, who built a monastery in nearby Zdelia. This was the earliest historical mention of the Templars in Croatia and Hungary. There is also a river near Zdelia that has been known by many names.