Námestovo: Orava Reservoir, Slanica Island of Art and leisure spots

Water, culture and movement give Námestovo a clearly recognisable profile. The Orava Reservoir covers 35 km² and is one of the largest reservoirs in Slovakia. At the same time, it offers very good conditions for windsurfing. This gives the town the dimensions of a large Slovak reservoir while also providing a clearly defined opportunity for active time on the water.

Nature

The Orava Reservoir shapes a stay in Námestovo as a destination centred around a large body of water. Its connection with the water is evident not only in the very good conditions for windsurfing, but also in the facilities and connections along its shores. The size of the reservoir and water sports exist side by side in the same place, without limiting the lake to just one type of use.

Culture

Slanica Island of Art adds a historical and artistic dimension to this connection with the water. The Baroque church and the Calvary on Slanica Island of Art were once the dominant features of Slanica. After Slanica and four other villages disappeared beneath the Orava Reservoir, Slanica Island of Art remained as an island.

The church on Slanica Island of Art houses an exhibition entitled “Slovak Traditional Folk Sculpture and Painting”. The island also features an outdoor exhibition on Orava stonework, “Orava Stonework”, from the 18th and 19th centuries. In this way, sacred architecture, the history of Slanica and examples of regional art form a shared cultural context.

Leisure

Námestovo has clearly designated facilities for active leisure. The PARKOUR PARK was built on the shore of the Orava Reservoir in summer 2018. It includes elements for beginners and those with some experience, and is also aimed at experienced traceurs, freerunners and people who practise street-workout exercises. The various elements therefore combine different levels of experience and forms of movement.

The Skatepark v Námestove is a solid-concrete skatepark. Its central area includes a funbox, a spin and a bowl with a platform. The multi-level street line features rails, boxes and a long curb for skaters and bikers. Skatepark v Námestove is located directly on the shore of the Orava Reservoir. Its construction, central elements and street line are therefore described just as specifically as the intended user groups.

Connections

Slanica Island of Art can be reached by excursion boat, but it can only be visited during the season. Loď Slanica provides a connection between Slanická osada and Slanický ostrov (Ostrov umenia) on the Orava Reservoir. For a visit to the island, both the seasonal restriction and this specifically named boat connection are therefore relevant.

Also pay attention to which services are included, which price components make up the total amount, and which booking or cancellation conditions apply. These points may be displayed differently depending on the offer page.

More local pages: Oravská Lesná, Bobrov, Mútne, Novot, Sihelne, Hruštín, Zákamenné, Oravská Polhora

To the higher-level travel overview: Námestovo District.