Discover Osturňa

Osturňa combines an unusually extensive village stretching along the Osturniansky potok with protected folk architecture and varied landscapes. The settlement extends for up to 9 km; Osturňa is probably considered the longest linear village along a stream in Slovakia. This creates a destination where cultural features, small bodies of water and marked hiking trails remain closely connected with the character of the place.

Folk Architecture and Living Tradition

The Osturňa Folk Architecture Heritage Reserve was designated in 1979 and includes 157 listed buildings. Typical Osturňa farmsteads consist of a shingle-roofed 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. The Osturnianska izba, housed in a reconstructed school building, offers another insight into local everyday culture. Its collection includes traditional furniture and equipment, wedding utensils and typical painted ornaments. The inhabitants of Osturňa also continue to wear traditional Goral costume to this day. The cultural focus therefore ranges from architectural forms and ecclesiastical furnishings to clothing and household objects.

Lakes, Basin Landscapes and Special Habitats

The Veľké osturnianské jazero Nature Reserve is characterized by rare plant taxa of aquatic habitats and transitional mires. The endemic species alpine newt (Triturus alpestris) and Carpathian newt (Triturus montandoni) also occur there. The smaller Malé osturnianske jazerá differ from it through their shallow, intermittently present water surfaces: the water depth does not exceed 1 m. 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 lake Jazero lies in a closed basin at an elevation of 874 m, approximately 2 km south of Osturňa. It was formed by creeping slope deformations. Several mighty fir trees more than 100 years old stand in the forest around the lake. Another landscape is Getsemanská záhrada, a western basin landscape in the valley of the Osturniansky potok, which is considered an area of exceptional natural-aesthetic qualities. Overall, the Osturňa area has highly varied terrain and a natural environment of considerable value in terms of landscape design and biological qualities. A hill above Osturňa offers a view of the Tatra Mountains.

Marked Trails and Regional Cuisine

A range of marked routes of varying lengths is available for hiking. A green route leads over the Príslop saddle to Ždiar and is 11 km long. A yellow route connects Osturňa with Magurka and measures 5.5 km. In addition, route VT32 “Zo Ždiaru do Osturne” passes through Osturňa and is considered a moderately difficult full-day hike lasting 7 hours with an elevation gain of 498 m. Traditional dishes from Osturňa, consisting mainly of bryndza, potatoes and bacon, are also part of the local character. For further orientation, you will also find Majere Majere, Zakovce Zakovce, Lendak Lendak, Spišská Stará Ves Spišská Stará Ves, Reľov Reľov, Kežmarok Kežmarok, Spišské Hanušovce Spišské Hanušovce and Veľká Franková Veľká Franková.

For the higher-level travel overview: Kežmarok District.