Čakovec

Čakovec is the seat and largest city of Međimurje County, in northern Croatia, some 90 kilometres from Zagreb and close to the borders with Slovenia and Hungary. Its urban settlement has just over 15,000 inhabitants, and the city as a whole around 27,000 according to the 2021 census. It takes its name from Csák Hahót, who built a timber fortification here in the early 13th century, and it grew under the Zrinski family, whose former residence, Čakovec Castle, now houses a museum in Zrinski Park. Its sporting life includes clubs such as NK Međimurje in football and MRK Čakovec in handball, and its indoor hall hosted group matches of the 2003 Women's World Handball Championship. Čakovec was recognised by ACES Europe as European City of Sport 2020, a title that places it within the Croatian representation of the ACES network.