Memorials Orava

Surrounded by the waters of Oravská priehrada, Slanický ostrov, also known as Ostrov umenia. has been located here since 1953. Its area covers 3.5 hectares. When you see the island from a distance, it might strike you at first glance as appearing deserted. Although no one lives on it, visitors walk across it regularly. This is because the exhibitions of Oravská galéria Dolný Kubín are installed here, and summer events are also occasionally organized on the island.

Slanický ostrov umenia is a remnant and monument of the submerged village of Slanica. The Kostol Povýšenia sv. Kríža church was preserved from it, although it was not always a church. When it was built between 1766 and 1769, it represented a Baroque chapel; it was only in 1843 that it was rebuilt into a church with two towers and a classicist chapel was added to it. In front of it stands a monument to Anton Bernolák, a bronze statue dating from the mid-1930s.

Inside the church, there is an exhibition from Oravská galéria entitled "Slovak Traditional Folk Sculpture and Painting". Traditional folk visual art has always belonged among the typical elements and expressions of a country's national culture, and Orava is no exception. Orava statues belong to the cult of the Virgin Mary, originating from Polish Galicia. Their authors were mostly self-taught artists who, when carving, simply let themselves be guided by their own inspiration and skill. Thus, in the spirit of local woodcarving traditions, these small works of art were created, though unfortunately only a limited number of them have survived.

In the island's exterior, there is a torso of the original cemetery and a lapidarium of “Orava Stonemasonry Creation of the 18th and 19th Centuries”. An exhibition of Orava stonemasonry has been installed in it since 1973. To this day, individual reliefs and statues of saints have been preserved in their original locations, such as cemeteries, calvaries, churches, or chapels. Believers often decorated them with various vivid colors or different crowns and paper flowers on special occasions. In the former tomb, the exhibition “History of Submerged Villages and the Construction of Oravská Priehrada” is installed. The combination of the attractiveness of the installed exhibitions together with the beautiful natural scenery of the island makes this place one of the most visited and popular cultural sites in Orava.

You can reach the island by boat, which drops you off here during a sightseeing cruise on Oravská priehrada. It is truly a great experience that both children and adults will remember for a long time. We therefore recommend finding accommodation near Slanický ostrov umenia and allowing yourself enough time to get to know this area from a different perspective. Being buoyed by the larger and smaller waves of the reservoir is something you simply need to experience. Book your stay on the pages accommodation Námestovo or accommodation Orava and come discover the attractions in Orava firsthand.

Do you know the famous statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro? It is renowned all over the world and was long the tallest statue of Jesus in the world. Did you know that we have its copy in Slovakia? Indeed, we do. In Orava, above the village of Klin in the Námestovo district, a statue of Jesus Christ rises to the heavens. It is the third copy of the famous Brazilian statue in Rio, and it is definitely worth visiting.

The statue of Jesus Christ stands on the Grapa hill. It is the work of a local folk sculptor, Peter Ganobjak, who began working on it in November 2008. It was funded by Mr. Jozef Sroka and stands on land belonging to the parents of priest Florián Volf. The iron structure for the statue was crafted by the artist in his workshop. Then, they poured concrete into it and hauled it up the hill. Here, using only an ax and a mattock, sculptor Ganobjak carved the statue of Jesus Christ.

This truly magnificent work of art has a height of 9.5 meters. The statue spreads its arms 7 meters wide, pointing across the entire length and breadth of Orava. Grapa hill provides an ideal location for the statue of Jesus Christ. Not only is it visible from afar, but in good weather, you can see in all directions from the top. During the climb, you will be presented with a view of Námestovo, the well-known Oravská priehrada reservoir, Suchá hora, the Roháče mountains, and you can see as far as the Polish town of Zakopane.

Together with its pedestal, the statue of Jesus Christ weighs up to 23 tons. It is painted white, attracting tourists from a distance. The surroundings of the statue are nicely landscaped. Fruit trees are planted here, and you will find a mini-amphitheater, a gazebo, and benches for rest or prayer. In spring, the statue is surrounded by flowers, and Christians travel to it from all over the world. A year after its installation, a chapel was also built beneath the statue of Christ. Later, a statue of Pope John Paul II kneeling in prayer before Christ was added.

You can reach the statue of Jesus Christ in Klin directly from the village. You pass by the soccer field and park in the parking lot below Grapa hill. From there, a Way of the Cross leads all the way to the top. Stop and admire the beauty of nature and this amazing monument created by human hands.

Orava is among the most beautiful regions of Slovakia, and you will find many monuments and interesting places here. On our portal, we have also prepared other tips for attractions around Námestovo for you. If you go here for a vacation, we offer you nice accommodation near the statue of Jesus Christ and accommodation in Orava. You will certainly find the right choice.