Drevený muž Dúbrava
Dúbrava (okres Liptovský Mikuláš)
In the Liptov village of Dúbrava, nestled in the picturesque nature of Nízke Tatry, the Guardian of the Forest (Strážca lesa) stands guard over the entrance to the forests and mines in Dúbravská dolina. It is a wooden statue soaring to a height of 5 m. To movie fans of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, it resembles the walking tree character "Ent", while to fans of Guardians of the Galaxy, it recalls the character "Groot". It was created by a pair of English artists.
Rooted to the ground, the statue is made almost entirely of wood, only subtly supported by a metal structure. It symbolizes Perun, the Slavic god of thunder and lightning. In his hand, he holds a burning torch, and his feet are covered with stones. The path leading to him is well-trodden, so you certainly will not get lost. It is quite possible that during your walk you will meet families with strollers or seniors. The terrain is easy and the route is relatively short.
In the past, mining activity flourished in Dúbravská dolina, leaving many residents with health consequences, but above all, it was responsible for one of the largest ecological disasters in Slovakia in 2019. The wooden guardian stands here as a sort of barrier between nature and man. He is a protector of both the forest and nature. He defends them and stands here as a warning to anyone who would consciously want to destroy them.
Not far from the wooden guardian are the famous Dúbravské bane, which were strategic for Czechoslovakia in their time. They were the highest-altitude antimony mines in Central Europe. Mining in them completely ceased in 1992. An old mining train stands at their entrance. However, its condition is just as dilapidated as the surrounding area of the mines. Nevertheless, a beautiful spruce forest leads to them.
Similarly beautiful forests can be found all around the area. Liptov is a very popular tourist destination, and every visitor will find something to love here. If you too want a photo with the wooden man of Dúbrava, plan a nice extended weekend in Liptov. For that, you need to find quality accommodation near the Wooden Man. You will find plenty of options, for example, on the page accommodation Liptovský Mikuláš. To truly enjoy your trip to the fullest, get inspired by our tips for trips in Liptov.
