Ľubovniansky skanzen
Ľubovniansky skanzen is an ethnographic open-air exhibition consisting of 25 structures dating from the first half of the 19th century to the first third of the 20th century. Its dominant feature is the Greek Catholic wooden cerkev (church) from Matysová dating from 1833, which is dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel. To this day, Eastern Rite church services are held in it during major church holidays.
Múzeum ľudovej architektúry pod hradom or Múzeum Zamagurskej dediny, as the open-air museum in Stará Ľubovňa is called, opened its gates to the public in 1985, which is why we rank it among the youngest in Slovakia. The exhibition captures the cultural values of the region of northwestern Spiš and northwestern Šariš, which was ethnically mixed. For centuries, not only Slovaks, but also Germans, Rusyns, Gorals, and Jews lived harmoniously side by side here. The unique diversity of village life from the surrounding area is authentically depicted here.
The open-air museum is situated right next to Ľubovniansky hrad, with which it forms a thoroughly impressive, unique landscape scenery. During the tour, notice details such as freshly washed laundry in front of the house, an unwiped blackboard in the school, or a wedding room. The sensitively curated exhibition will help you travel back in your thoughts to the times of our grandmothers and an era that our generation did not experience.
In addition to the already mentioned cerkev, during a tour of the open-air museum you will view seasonal field dwellings characteristic of the Spiš region, or traditional farm buildings as parts of homesteads, a stable, granary, barn, gamekeeper's lodge, mill, school, and blacksmith's workshop. However, the most numerous representation belongs to typical log residential houses from Veľký Lipník, Litmanová, Jakubany, Kremná, Údol, Kamienka, Veľká Lesná, and Jarabina, built in the first third of the 20th century.
Skanzen Stará Ľubovňa wants to be friendly and accessible to everyone. Therefore, you will also find here 3D scale models enabling the blind to examine the structures by touch, a printed guide in Braille, as well as a guiding line formed by handrails, directional signs, and messages, likewise in Braille. The open-air museum also opens its gates to people with autism. In the summer season, you can enjoy a picnic here or feed the animals with your children that once lived on a traditional farmstead. The youngest visitors have at their disposal a children's corner with wooden toys, a granary with souvenirs, as well as a hand-powered wooden carousel.
The aforementioned neighboring castle in Stará Ľubovňa is not the only attraction in Spiš worth visiting. Book accommodation in the surroundings of Skanzen Stará Ľubovňa and discover all the beauties the region offers. We will make your search easier; on our accommodation Spiš webpage, you will find individual offers of accommodation facilities, leaving only the planning of a great trip on your shoulders.
