Folk architecture in the High Tatras and surroundings
Lendak
Podtatranská village in the district of Kežmarok in the Prešov Region is a typical Highlander village where people still preserve the traditions of their ancestors. In a small wooden house from the 1950s, the Museum of Local Culture has been created. The museum has been open since 2003. Visitors can get to know the way of life of the local inhabitants. The exhibitions on display cover farming, crafts and religion. There are various artefacts that show the life of our ancestors in the past.
Visitors will find bed sheets with blueprint (typical for Lendak), century-old looms, traditional furniture – wardrobe, bed, but also a historical oven. The museum also houses an exhibition of traditional clothing – mainly Lendak costumes. You can even find a century-old fur coat or 70-year-old boots, which have been preserved to this day. Opening hours are 10.00 – 15.00, Sat – Sun by appointment.
Osturnia
Another typical Goral village, which is also a conservation reserve of folk architecture (since 1979). It is located in the district of Kežmarok, in the Prešov region. The territory of the village belongs to the protection zone of the Pieniny National Park. In the village there are two nature reserves, the Great Osturnian Lake and the Small Lakes, and a natural monument, the Lake. Osturňa is a large foothill municipality, which is one of the longest municipalities in Slovakia with a length of approximately 9 km. Like the better known Čičmany or Vlkolínec, Osturňa is considered a living open-air museum. It is one of the Slovak villages where the original village buildings are still being lived in, which is why it is also referred to as a living open-air museum. It consists of approximately 157 wooden houses, which are listed buildings.
The village is characterised by a chain form of development with atrium farmsteads. A Goral farmstead consists of a dwelling house built of wood, with a barn, stables and other farm buildings at the rear. A typical Osturnian house has a gabled shingled roof, a log structure, perched on a stone plinth which levels out the uneven terrain. The houses have distinctive shutters and the window frames and the joinery have coloured or ornamental decoration. You will also find a timber-framed cottage which is approximately 133 years old and still maintained in very good condition, it is privately owned but the owners are willing to make it available for viewing.
Ždiar
The village of Ždiar is located in the district of Poprad in the Prešov region. It is known for its folklore traditions. Local people are still engaged in traditional crafts – e.g. sheep wool processing. The Ždiar House Museum is located in the striking village of Ždiar. It was built in 1971, based on the model of the wooden houses from 1911 and 1914. The wooden house has the traditional colors for Ždiar – white, blue, red. Blue jointing, red window frames and wooden beams are usually decorated with ornaments, which is typical for wooden houses in this area. The Ždiar house is a monument of folk architecture, where you can experience a guided tour with a rich explanation. Inside the wooden house, in the living area, there is an exhibition of the interior, traditional clothing – costumes and work tools and instruments. Here you will find the characteristic Ždiar costume, children’s toys, that were once played with, work tools, or a typical Ždiar musical instrument – the violin (zlobcoky). In addition to the tour, you can experience a Ždiar wedding or wear a traditional Ždiar costume, which is characterized by various ornaments with motives of plants and animals from the surrounding nature. It is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except Sundays (1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Price list €2.50 adults, €1.50 children (6-18 years).
If you want to get to know the life of the Gorals in the village of Ždiar, you can also visit the Chamber of Folk Traditions. You will learn about the history of Ždiar, find an exhibition of living and culture of the Gorals, or you can try on typical Ždiar costumes or experience a live weaving demonstration. In July-August, it is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Mon-Sat) and on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Entrance fee for adults is €2 and for children €1.
