River Biela Orava (White Orava) - Slovakia
spring (source):
The river sources in north-west part of Oravska Magura Mountain Range.
flow length:
25 km
Article
SK, Oravska Lesna – Picturesque Village in the Mountains
Published: 4.9.2014
In the midst of summer we spent a couple of days in the Oravian village of Oravska Lesna. It is surrounded by beautiful nature of Slovakian Beskydy and Oravska Magura.
Oravska Lesna thanks to its location in beautiful natural scenery is an idela place to refresh oneself. Even our short time there was joyful despite of bad weather. In winter, when everything is covered in white blanket of snow, people who love winter sport will find here great conditions to skiing, cross-country skiing in this coldest town in Slovakia. During other seasons, Oravska Lesna is an ideal places for trips to local nature. It is popular among tourists as well as among lovers of mountain biking, people who love picking mushrooms, or those who love trains as there is a unique narrow gauge railway. In 2011, Oravska Lesna became a village of the year.
Founding of the village
The founder of the village is Count Juraj Erdody Jr. The village used to bear his name, it was called Erdutka or Erdödy. In 1946 it was renamed and since it has had its current name Oravska Lesna. To this day, one of the largest municipalities in the Orava region. Specific as it is scattered on the hills near the springs of the Bila Orava.
Oravska Lesna is Up-to-Date
Oravska Lesna as one of a few Slovakian villages has not just unique nature surrounding it but also vast variety of service available to locals as well as tourists usually coming from other Slovakian regions or Poland or very distant places in the world. In addition to standard services such as post office, restaurant, health center and supermarket and other stores, you will find a gym, tennis courts, indoor pool and even an indoor ice rink, which can not boast of any county or city.
Unique Sights
The picturesque village of Oravska Lesna hides many attractions. Perhaps the most famous monument here, which annually attracts many visitors, it is an interesting historical forest railway, which was declared a technical monument.
More on the railway HERE.
Even beautiful church of St Anna in the central part of the village is worth visiting. It dates from 1914 and its beautiful architecture exceeds regional significance. At that time the church. Anna really built in the Art Nouveau style and progressive still on it you can admire the unique harmony of wood, stone and masonry, which together form a beautiful nave church with the single-cross floor plan. Holds up to 1,500 people and is one of the most beautiful landmarks in the village.
Also a visit to local observatory should be interesting. Yet we decided to take an easy hike along the Forestry nature trail. Next time we will tell you more about it.
Text and photo: O. Maňáková
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