Osturňa

The areas of today's Osturnia have long been visited by the inhabitants of the entire Zamagurze, Poland and Subcarpathian Ruthenia. The first written record comes from 1593. It seems quite probable, however, that some of the settlements were already inhabited earlier.

The village grew   due to colonization. The land was divided into plots that were allocated to the settlers. The so-called chainboats, villages stretching for almost eight kilometers. As a result of the intensive land division, Osturnia became the most populated village of Zamagurza with time.

One of the local phenomena is a specific dialect, the so-called Osturnian dialect . The inhabitants are mostly Greek Catholic, which makes Osturnia considered to be the northernmost village   Ruthenian near Magura Spiska. Even today, you can admire the terraced fields here , and agriculture and livestock breeding for generations have been the main source of income for the local population.

The harsh living conditions affected the local architecture. Timbered houses   built on a stone foundation, which was used to level the terrain, they are exceptionally charming. Sloping roofs covered with hand-split shingles   they withstood the snow pressure perfectly. Walls made of massive beams ensured stability and durability. The gaps between the beams were sealed and painted, mostly blue. Apart from the aesthetic value, it also served as insulation. The most characteristic, however, are the shutters decorated with ornaments . Outside the house, the farm usually consisted of a stable, a barn and other buildings. Currently, 157 wooden houses constitute a historic reserve of folk architecture.   Here, visitors can see an authentic living open-air museum that was created and kept alive by the worn-out hands of the locals.