Discover Čičmany

čicmany a small village surrounded by rolling hills in northern Slovakia, known as the first folk architecture reserve in the world.

This fairy tale folk village

is famous for hand-painted white ornaments on dark wooden houses. No one really knows the story behind why this all started, but half the village competes with keeping their house freshly painted. 

The name is derived from a Slovak word čičman, a lumberjack who makes noise during the work.

One of the few places to stay and eat.

Flowers are plentiful in most yards.

Women originally painted the lacy ornamental designs.

Customs of early settlers were quite cramped with up to five families living in the two-story timber house.

A great fire destroyed the village in 1921, and it was restored to original appearance with donations by the state.

Apple trees heavy with fruit.

The wood piles are neatly stacked with square corners.

The women weave embroidery and clothes and the men farm the land and herd sheep and cows.

Approximately 136 residents live here including this male who rides his bike down the street.

Candid photo of these two residents walking together in preserved traditional costumes. Ok, they are semi-posed but he wouldn't stop for long.

A beautiful display of cosmos growing against the dark picket fence.

Mushroom picking is a national passion. These are drying in the backyard under natural sunlight. 

These motifs are embroidered into the folk costumes and carried over into souvenirs throughout the whole country.