Zubák in the White Carpathians: Culture and Route 23

Landscape in the Zubák Valley

Zubák is located in the northern part of the White Carpathians, in the upper section of the valley of the same name and in the valley of the Zubák stream. The municipality extends across elevations between 400 and 854 meters, while the village center lies at 420 meters. These different elevations make it clear that the locality includes not only the compact village center but also a more extensive municipal area. Zubák is also home to a sulfurous mineral spring. There are viewpoints from Žrnova.

Churches, Chapels, and Historic Wooden Houses

A prominent testament to the village's history is the Roman Catholic Church of Saint Vendelin. It dates from the early 19th century and stands on the site of an older wooden church. This sacred heritage is complemented by the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. Rudolf, Eduard, and Martin Slabý built it in 1944 and continue to take care of its preservation to this day.

The Chapel of Saint Vendelin also connects local history with a specific memory: it was built in the 1920s out of gratitude after the end of a cattle epidemic. Today, it belongs to the Roman Catholic Church in the parish of Zubák. Those interested in traditional building forms will also find 19th-century wooden houses in the municipality. They have three rooms and often an upper floor as well as a veranda; a rear thatched gable roof is also characteristic of these houses.

Living Traditions Throughout the Year

Local traditions are not limited to buildings. Every year in Zubák, a carnival procession takes place through the municipality, followed by the symbolic burial of the double bass and entertainment. The Lucia tradition involves veiled girls going from house to house on Saint Lucy's Day and symbolically driving away evil forces with goose wings. The Saint Nicholas tradition is also maintained: boys dress up as Saint Nicholas and the devil, distribute sweets to children, and read out humorous messages from the past municipal year.

Route 23 and Traces of the Forestry Railway

For active exploration, Route 23 Mestečko–Zubák–Lednica–Lednické Rovne is a clearly described point of reference. It follows the same trail markings through the entire village of Zubák and is classified as moderately difficult. Travel by public transport is recommended for this route because the starting point and endpoint are not the same. This difference is more important for planning than a simple round trip: the route connects several places and therefore requires a different approach to getting there.

The history of the municipality also includes a forestry railway that ran from Lednické Rovne into the cadastral territory of Zubák in the White Carpathians. At kilometer 15.6, a railway triangle known as “Lazy” was built there. It was part of the forestry railway and was used to turn the locomotive around. Thus, alongside churches, chapels, and wooden houses, transport and technological history are also independent topics in addition to Route 23.

If you would like to compare other places for your trip to Slovakia, you can find Lysá Pod Makytou, Lazy Pod Makytou, Mojtín, Dolná Breznica, Dolné Kočkovce, Nimnica, Horovce and Záriečie here.

For the broader travel overview: Púchov.