Osturňa: Holiday apartment between folk architecture and nature

Osturňa combines an unusually elongated village layout with protected folk architecture and a naturally diverse surrounding landscape. The village is probably considered the longest linear village along a stream in Slovakia. Its development extends along the Osturniansky potok for up to 9 km. Those considering a holiday apartment in Osturňa will find a place whose cultural and landscape features are closely connected with the course of the stream and the surrounding basin landscapes.

Culture

The Osturňa Folk Architecture Conservation Reserve was designated in 1979 and comprises 157 listed structures. Typical Osturňa farmsteads consist of a shingled log house at the front and a barn with a stable behind it. The Church of Saint Michael contains a historically valuable Rococo pulpit from the 18th century.

Another insight into the local material culture is provided by the Osturnianska izba, housed in a reconstructed school building. Its collection includes traditional furniture and implements, wedding accessories and typical painted ornaments. Clothing is also part of the village’s traditional appearance: The inhabitants of Osturňa still wear typical Goral attire today.

Nature

The Osturňa area features a richly varied terrain and a natural environment of great value in terms of landscape and biological qualities. The Veľké osturnianské jazero Nature Reserve is home to rare plant taxa from aquatic habitats and transitional mires. It is also inhabited by the endemic species alpine newt (Triturus alpestris) and Carpathian newt (Triturus montandoni).

At Malé osturnianske jazerá, the water depth does not exceed 1 m. The water surfaces are not continuous; the eastern part of the lake basin is filled with water for most of the year, while the western part has a marshy character. The natural landscape is complemented by Lake Jazero. It lies in a closed basin at an elevation of 874 m, about 2 km south of Osturňa, and was formed by creeping slope deformations.

Several large fir trees more than 100 years old stand in the forest around Lake Jazero. Getsemanská záhrada is a western basin landscape in the valley of the Osturniansky potok and is described as an area with exceptional aesthetic qualities. A hill above Osturňa offers a view of the Tatra Mountains.

Hiking

Several marked trails of different lengths lead through the landscape. A marked green route connects Osturňa with Ždiar via the Príslop saddle and is 11 km long. A marked yellow route connects Osturňa with Magurka and is 5.5 km long.

The VT32 route, “From Ždiar to Osturňa,” also passes through Osturňa. It is described as a moderately difficult, full-day hike lasting 7 hours with an elevation gain of 498 m. The information on color, route, length and duration makes the various routes clearly distinguishable from one another.

Local cuisine

Traditional dishes from Osturňa consist predominantly of sheep’s cheese, potatoes and bacon. These ingredients represent the village’s traditional regional cuisine.

Other destinations in the same overview include Jezersko, Mlynceky, Vrbov, Stara Lesna, Veľká Franková, Tvarožná, Spišská Stará Ves, Malý Slavkov.

For the higher-level travel overview: Kežmarok District.