Open air museums Prešovský kraj

Miniskanzen drevených chrámov is a Slovak rarity built on the grounds of Bazilika minor in the village of Ľutina in the Sabinov district. The replicas of wooden churches, constructed at a 1:10 scale, rank among the gems of folk sacral architecture of eastern Slovakia. In 2011, the mini-open-air museum was opened and consecrated by the Archbishop of Prešov.

The construction of this unique project took place in several stages. Thanks to co-financing by the European Union within the Cross-Border Cooperation Program Poland – Slovakia (first and second stage) and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism (third stage), the exhibition was successfully expanded to include churches from Poland and Ukraine.

The first stage was carried out in the years 2011–2012 and brought 11 miniatures from the surroundings of Snina to the open-air museum. The scale models originate from the villages of Brežany, Hrabová Roztoka, Inovce, Jalová, Kalná Roztoka, Kožuchovce, Matysová, Ruská Bystrá, Ruský Potok, Topoľa, and Uličské Krivé.

The second stage was carried out in 2013 and brought another 10 specimens to the open-air museum, mainly from the surroundings of Bardejov. The scale models originate from the villages of Frička, Hutka, Jedlinka, Kožany, Krivé, Lukov-Venecia, Mikulášová, Tročany, Vyšná Polianka, and Zboj.

The third stage was carried out in the years 2015–2016. It brought further scale models to the open-air museum, this time from the villages of Bodružal, Dobroslava, Hunkovce, Korejovce, Krajné Čierno, Ladomirová, Miroľa, Nižný Komárnik, Potoky, Príkra, Šemetkovce, and Vyšný Komárnik. Scale models of Ukrainian churches were added from the villages of Jaseňa, Kanora, Lazečšina, Rekity, Svaľava, and Užok. The subsequent addition of 9 miniatures from the surroundings of Svidník (2015–2016) was funded by donations from organizations of Slovak compatriots and private donors from the USA.

During the tour of the miniatures, notice their arrangement in the nicely landscaped, fenced, and illuminated area. Each scale model has its own information board with a description and a brief history. Most of the scale models of Slovak churches date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Each of the presented churches is original and exceptional in some way. Their global value is even confirmed by the inclusion of eight churches from the Slovak part of the Carpathian Arc into the UNESCO List.

The village of Ľutina, where the mini-open-air museum is located, is a well-known and sought-after pilgrimage site. So do not hesitate any longer and plan a trip to its surroundings. You can find suitable accommodation on our pages accommodation in the Sabinov district.

Skanzen Humenné, also known as Expozícia ľudovej architektúry a bývania belonging under Vihorlatské múzeum, is located almost directly in the town center of Humenné. The open-air museum is situated near the magnificent Renaissance manor house Humenský zámok, which houses the aforementioned Vihorlatské múzeum.

On an area of 4 hectares, visitors will find a total of 16 buildings that together form a complete picture of the distinctive architecture of the East Carpathian region. These are log houses furnished with period furniture, agricultural buildings, but also various rarities, including a wheelwright's, potter's, and blacksmith's workshop, a watermill, and a well. All these objects, together with period craft and agricultural tools, create a perfect picture of life and housing in Zemplín in times long past, which our generation knows only from stories.

The tour begins in a log house without an agricultural section, which represented a typical homestead of a poor farmer with a modest interior. This served only to cover basic living needs. It was built in Klenová before World War I and relocated to the open-air museum in 1977. The building has three spaces, consisting of a pantry, an entry hall, and a room. Its walls were made of hewn beams. Their corners are joined by log construction and coated with clay. An interesting feature is the residential house combined with a mill house, which originates from Vyšná Jablonka. The mill house immediately catches visitors' attention with the large wooden mechanism of the mill with a hopper and two stones, one rotating and one stationary.

The centerpiece of the exposition is the authentic Greek Catholic wooden Chrám sv. Michala Archanjela from Nová Sedlica. It dates back to 1764 and is unique partly because it was originally built without a single metal nail. The breathtaking Baroque tiered iconostasis dates from the mid-18th century, with some icons even originating from the 16th century. The small church stands on an elevated spot, as traditions once recommended. Even back then, it was meant to express the fact that it was the abode of God, to whom all residents turned with humility, from youth to the elderly, from farmers to woodcutters. Everyone sought both love, happiness, and understanding within it.

Village architecture and the local color of that time could not leave out the blacksmith's workshop. For demonstration, the open-air museum in Humenné features a workshop relocated from Nechvaľová Polianka, whose inventory exactly corresponds to its purpose. The basic equipment of the workshop consisted of a hearth with a blacksmith's bellows. Various types of pliers, hammers, punches, and an anvil could not be missing. It also includes a shelter for shoeing horses with horseshoes made right in that workshop. Near the workshop, there is a shadoof well, a log granary with a cellar, and a hayrick "oboroh".

As is a good tradition in most open-air museums, various cultural events and demonstrations of folk crafts take place here as well. These mostly happen in the center of the open-air museum, where a small ampitheater is located. Take part in them as well and experience that special atmosphere. Book your accommodation on our page accommodation Humenné and you will be just a stone's throw away from the open-air museum.

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.