The inhabitants of Turnišče never considered themselves ordinary villagers. Even today they call themselves “Varašanci”. The word comes from the Hungarian word for “market town”. According to Dr. Andrej Hozjan, Turnišče was probably given the rank of a market town as early as in the 16th century. PAM holds a letter of privilege dated September 2, 1548, issued by László and István Bánffy, in the Castle of Dolnja Lendava. By this letter they confirmed the special privileges granted by their predecessors, privileges the neighboring settlements did not have. E.g. the residents of the market towns were exempt from paying taxes, could choose their judges and had the right to hold a fair anytime.