Holiday apartment in Markovci: Fašenk, Lake Ptuj and Šturmovci

In Markovci, the procession of ethnographic figures is known as “Fašenk”. During Fašenk, the Kurent appears together with local figures such as ploughmen, fairies, Rusa, bears, chickens, Pokači and the wedding figure of the lancer. The Kurent or Korant processions are recognized by UNESCO as part of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Culture and history

The individual house-to-house processions of the Kurents probably began in the second half of the 19th century in Markovci and the neighboring villages. The earliest written mention of the Korant is dated to 1829 and is associated with the old books of St. Mark’s Church in Markovci. St. Mark’s Church is the central sacred building of the Municipality of Markovci and an important part of its local cultural heritage. In the attic of the Markovci municipal office, the Ethno Museum presents the figure of the Korant interactively even outside the traditional carnival season.

Markovci celebrates its municipal holiday every year on April 25, the feast day of Saint Mark. The municipal holiday includes events organized by local sports, cultural and volunteer firefighting associations, as well as a church blessing, and extends throughout the entire month. In addition, the “Fašenk v Markovcih” project has been announced for 2026 to 2028. It includes a traditional carnival procession, the “Bičov pok” event, performances by carnival figures and groups, a carnival hall or carnival tent, as well as culinary and musical entertainment.

Nature and water

The nearby Šturmovci Landscape Park includes floodplain forests, wetlands and a diverse biological environment. The park is suitable for walking, cycling and birdwatching. More than 230 bird species breed in the protected lakeshore area of Lake Ptuj, including rare and protected species such as the cormorant, common tern and black tern. Two thirds of the surface area of Lake Ptuj lies within the Municipality of Markovci.

The nearby Lake Ptuj has a 13-kilometer circular route suitable for cycling and walking. Red signposts for the Drava Bike Route guide cyclists from Ptuj to Markovci and Mihovci pri Veliki Nedelji. The tourist offerings of the Municipality of Markovci include organized rafting tours on the Drava as well as e-bike rental. The “Along the Path of the Korant” themed trail runs through the Markovci region and presents local traditions along the way.

Experiences and local offerings

The themed Markovci experience includes a carriage ride through the protected Šturmovci Landscape Park and ends with a tasting of local cuisine.

Camper Stop Zabovci has eight pitches for motorhomes. For utilities, there are two charging stations with four connection spaces each, as well as a separate station for water supply and sewage disposal.

This allows the individual options to be compared objectively.

Other places that you can access on the portal: Majšperk, Jiršovci, Cirkulane, Ptuj, Moškanjci, Gorišnica.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Ptuj.