Discover Zubrzyca Górna

Historic buildings from towns and villages in Upper Orawa

The museum includes historic buildings that were moved here from various places in Upper Orawa. They include the Czarna Karczma and a granary from Podwilk, the house of Alojzy Dziubek from Jabłonka, the wooden Church of Our Lady of the Snows from Tokarnia, and a presbytery from Podwilk. The places of origin are part of each building’s story: their names show that the collection brings together examples from several places across the region.

The Dwór Moniaków deserves special mention. It consists of six buildings that have stood at this site for more than 400 years. The permanent exhibitions also give an impression of the collection’s scope: according to figures for the end of 2017, they comprised a total of 60 objects. This figure relates to that point in time and does not automatically describe the current collection.

Village life, crafts, and architecture

The Orawski Park Etnograficzny illustrates village life in Orawa through a range of building types and objects. Visitors can see historic houses and a manor, as well as farm buildings and workshops. Household objects and decorative elements are also part of the collection. Chapels, a church, a presbytery, a school, and an inn round out the picture with buildings associated with religious and community life.

The materials used are also part of this presentation: wood is the main building material, alongside paper, clay, and straw. Some of the wooden houses also feature a wyżka. This is a storage room in the attic above a living space. Access was via a small balcony and beams that projected beyond the line of the building. In this way, the architecture draws attention not only to the buildings’ exterior form, but also to how the space was used.

A themed trail on rural work

The park’s residential and religious buildings stand alongside a separate presentation of rural work. Along the themed trail on rural work in Orawa, the museum presents a sawmill, a mill, smithies, a fulling mill, an oil mill, a mangle, and an apiary. There is also a replica of a dye works from Orawka. These stops highlight different kinds of work, giving the trail a focus distinct from the houses and their furnishings.

The site covers about 12 hectares. Permanent exhibitions, smaller architectural structures, and the surrounding natural landscape make up a layout with two sections. A visit therefore includes both the displayed buildings and objects and their setting within a larger area.

Workshops and events

The Orawski Park Etnograficzny offers workshops, exhibition openings, occasional posiady, and outdoor events. The formats range from hands-on workshops to events held in the open air. These activities do not follow a recurring schedule. If a particular event is important to your trip, check its dates in advance.

Visiting and other cultural attractions in the town

Individuals and organized groups can visit the museum after purchasing an admission ticket, either with a guide or independently. Which option suits your stay depends on whether you would like to explore the collection with a guide or on your own. Check the museum’s current information about visiting options before your visit.

Another named cultural attraction in Zubrzyca Górna is the parish Church of St. Michael the Archangel. It is located on Voivodeship Road 957. This gives travelers two distinct points of interest in the town: the park’s extensive ethnographic collection and a parish church on a regional road.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Ponice, Tylka, Podwilk, Maniowy, Niedzica, Maruszyna, Rokiciny Podhalańskie, Ochotnica Górna.

Go to the main travel overview: Nowotarski.