Mursko Središće is first mentioned in 1334 as "Sancti Martini in Zredysche". Historian Ivan Kukuljević-Sakcinski claimed that the site was occupied by the Romans and was known under the name of "Helicanum". If true, it would have been a strategic point on the road between Ptuj (Poetovio) in Slovenia and Carnuntum (Petronell) on the river Danube, the post between today's Vienna and Bratislava in Slovakia. The existing road was built in the 1st century. Other historians disagree, claiming that Helicanum might be today's Sveti Martin na Muri or nearby Lendava (Lendva).