Ižakovci is a settlement located about two kilometres south of Beltinci, along the left bank of the Mura River. The village has long been shaped by the river, which influenced both its economic development and the everyday life of its inhabitants. A traditional wooden river ferry still operates between the left bank at Ižakovci and the right bank towards Krapje – today mainly a tourist attraction, but once an essential means of transport for the local population. The ferries in Ižakovci and Melinci are among the last remaining operational ferries on the Mura.

The ferry consists of two shallow, interconnected boats supporting a stable platform for passengers. A steel cable is stretched across the river, to which the ferry is attached; the river current pushes it sideways across the channel, allowing it to operate without a motor. This is a characteristic traditional river‑crossing technique once widely used on the Mura.

 

The former mill (1999–2022)

The floating mill in Ižakovci was built in 1999 according to original plans of historic Mura mills. In 2019 it sank for the first time, after which partial repairs were carried out: the planking of the mill bridge was replaced, the damaged railing repaired, the paddles of the mill wheel restored, a new axle installed, metal parts welded, holes in the boats sealed, and the interior planks and bow sections of both boats completely renewed.

Despite these repairs, on 17 October 2022, during a sudden rise in the Mura’s water level, the mill collapsed in on itself. The event highlighted the challenges of maintaining wooden floating structures on a dynamic and unpredictable river.

New reconstruction (2023–2024): a more durable and safer mill

After the collapse of the old mill, the Municipality of Beltinci launched an extensive project to rebuild the floating mill on the Island of Love. Construction of the new mill began in March 2024 and was completed in autumn of the same year.

Key features of the new mill:

  • The supporting boats (the kompi) are now made of steel, clad in wooden planking, providing significantly greater stability and resistance to fluctuating water levels. Each boat contains three safety compartments to prevent sudden sinking.

  • The mill consists of two steel boats carrying the wooden superstructure, the miller’s hut, and the water wheel. The wooden elements follow the traditional architecture of historic Mura mills.

  • The total weight of the new mill is around 25 tonnes, further increasing its stability.

  • The Municipality of Beltinci allocated approximately EUR 600,000 for the project, of which EUR 350,000 was obtained through a national tourism and development grant.

  • The mill stands on the same location as the previous one, anchored to existing concrete foundations.

  • The project also included a new ferry, intended mainly for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as several new tourist features: information boards, photo points, panoramic telescopes, a weather station, digital visitor counters, and an e‑bike rental service.

The official opening of the new mill took place on 4 October 2024, marking the return of one of the most recognisable landmarks of the Mura region. The mill has once again become the central attraction of the revitalised Island of Love.