slovak open air museum

I appreciated the sawmill, the blacksmith shop, and the farm animals. There was a cross section of different living standards evidenced in house and barn construction. Interesting to compare this museum with the one at Sanok, Poland. This one was self-interpreted. In Sanok, we needed a guide. We were the only visitors on the day of our visit, maybe because the season hadn't really begun.

The site may be a Slovak Open Air Museum, but it really focuses on the Rusyn people of the Carpathian Mountain area of Eastern Slovakia, Poland and the Ukraine. I toured several of the open air museums in the area, and I must say that this is the best of them all. The recreated village of the Rusyn's contains a typical family home, wooden church, schoolhouse, fire station, and other buildings typically found in a Rusyn village of the 18th and 19th century. Animals roam freely, so you may come into close contact with goats, sheep, and ponies. There is also a small restaurant should you wish to sample some of the local food. This village is a must see if you are in the area, especially if your heritage is Slovak or Rusyn, like me.

While this “Skanzen” resembles others throughout the country, it is unique because it represents a specific ethnic group which extends throughout the Carpathian Mountains encompassing Poland, Eastern Slovakia and The Ukraine. The “village” of original buildings includes an 18th century wooden church, where services are still conducted, homes and work buildings. Goats wandering around add to the authenticity. There is a pub serving authentic Slovak food which was both delicious and reasonably priced. If you park in the lower lot you have a quarter mile walk up a rather steep hill. However, there is some parking available at the top of the hill for those with walking difficulties.

Ce skanzen n'est pas le plus connu ni le plus grand de Slovaquie mais il a un charme fou. Les maisons sont remises en état et entretenues par un monsieur qui se débrouille tout seul ou presque. La possibilité de manger un petit bout de spécialité slovaque sur place est super sympa, celle ci préparée par une "petite" dame très gentille. Un très bon moment passé la bas.