Three kilometres away from Zuberec, in Roháče Range, at the foot of the Western Tatra Mountains, at the meadows of Brestová, the Orava Village Museum can be found. Over an area of about 8 hectares, we can see 56 peasant houses, farmsteads and sacral buildings from the Orava Region. They are theme – arranged and they portray characteristic traits of the folk architecture typical of different social classes.

The idea of creating the open air museum already emerged in the 1920s, but the cornerstone was laid in 1967 and the museum was opened in 1975. It was divided into several sectors. The constructions in the museum are mostly original brought in from different locations in Orava.

The first sector is the Market Place of the Lower Orava, which exemplifies the richer side of the region with rather large, ostentatious houses. The mill and a sawmill are near the torrential Cold Brook. The Lane of the Zamagurie Region, with houses and farmsteads of rich and medium rich farmers, represents the typical structure of the Upper Orava village. The last part of the trail is the goral hamlet, which represents the poorest part of Orava lying on south-eastern slopes of the Oravské Beskydy mountains. The cemetery with the Late-Gothic wooden Saint Elizabeth church from Zábreže from the 15th century, standing on an elevated location, dominates the area.

The exposition is open all year long and the museum organises programs and shows for numerous visitors coming to this place. Last year it was visited by more than 80 thousand people. The listings of the events planned are theme-set and everyone will find something interesting for themselves. ”The night at the museum“ is visiting the museum with lanterns and it is possible from January to March. April is the time of handicraft shows, Easter customs and folk programs. Whereas May and June are devoted to handicraft. In the following months, there are folk performances within the Podroháčski Folk Festival, craftsmen shows (ceramics, wood sculpting, weaving and others) and one of the programs of the International Bagpipe Festival ”Gajdovačka“ (it is organised in September in Oravská Polhora by the Orava Culture Centre). In November there is St. Elizabeth Festival (the patron of the museum church) organised by the Museum and in December there are folk music concerts and Christmas customs show.

This place bustles all year long. The idea of the living museum is also realised by keeping household animals and growing flowers and herbs.

The dedication of the museum employees to make the program more attractive and popularise the Open air Museum is really immense. Yet what else would you expect of people with such a passion? The visitors may gain valuable knowledge of the local history and folklore and try the local specialities.

Múzeum oravskej dediny
027 32 Zuberec, Brestová 850
tel. (+421) 43 539 51 49
e-mail: muzeum@zuberec.sk
www.muzeum.zuberec.sk