Melinci (pronounced [mɛˈliːntsi]; Hungarian: Muramelence[2]) is a village in the Municipality of Beltinci in the Prekmurje region of northeastern Slovenia.

A folk story called "The Martyr of Melinci" (Mälìnčki mantrník)[5] collected by the Prekmurje Slovene writer Števan Kühar (1882–1915) describes how the Mura River was in flood and threatened to destroy the village.

The men of the village gathered together and decided to bury alive a seven-year-old child, Števek from the Džuro farm (Džúrov Štèväk or Džurof Štefek) as a sacrifice to appease the river.

The legend continues that the boy appeared in a dream to a pious woman, urging her to ask the village authorities to dig him up.

This was permitted, but only a few shovels of soil had been turned before a powerful smell emanated from the earth.