Skanzen Osturňa
Skanzen Osturňa, which lies in the distinctive Zamagurie village in northern Slovakia, in the Kežmarok district, prides itself on the designation of the largest living open-air museum in Slovakia. Since 1979, the village has been a declared Nature Reserve of Folk Architecture. To this day, Osturňa preserves its traditions, "mocking" the modern, fast-paced era full of stress and material goods.
It ranks among Slovak treasures, to which facts contribute such as that it is not artificially created and the residents have preserved certain elements within their history and culture. Whether it is the typical Osturňa dialect called "hvara", the preserved custom of wearing the Goral folk costume, working on one's farm, or traditional cuisine.
The approximately 9 km long village of Osturňa was founded in 1313 and has since gone through many difficult trials. It suffered a plague epidemic, wars, fires, and resisted uprisings. However, it also experienced many positive changes, the development of education, culture, economy, and spiritual life. By 1648, it already had its own church and rectory.
The layout of the village is shaped by the local stream, and there are numerous traditional wooden houses with enclosed yards in an interesting chain-like development. The local architecture is original and based on details that are already apparent thanks to the fact that window frames, corner log ends, and the chinking between them are painted.
Some of the original Gorals homesteads have been preserved in Osturňa. The open-air museum consists of 157 monument-protected buildings, which feature a wooden log house with a shingle-covered gabled roof in the front part of a typical yard, and a barn with a stable in the back part. Significant landmarks include the Greek Catholic late Baroque Chrám sv. Michala archanjela from 1796, the wooden Chapel of the Holy Cross from 1898, and the brick Chapel of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God.
The village lies between two sought-after national parks, Tatranský národný park and Pieninský národný park. Book your accommodation on the village's website accommodation Osturňa and follow in the footsteps of the old Gorals and pristine virgin nature. The Zamagurie region is made for a trip full of experiences and exploration, so be sure not to bypass the open-air museum in Osturňa during your wanderings.
