Ždiar: Folk Architecture, Nature and Winter Sports

Ždiar is one of only ten Slovak folk architecture reserves. The folk architecture reserve in Ždiar comprises 236 listed buildings in four groups of folk structures. The town thus combines a clearly recognizable architectural tradition with nature and winter sports experiences, which are found in different areas and each have their own characteristics.

Culture

The Goralské folklórne slávnosti are held annually in Ždiar. The traditional costumes of Ždiar also preserve a distinct regional connection: they feature plant and animal motifs from the Belianske Tatry and the surroundings of Ždiar. Both references demonstrate the town's cultural character through recurring events and visible design elements.

At Ždiarsky dom, visitors can experience a staged Ždiar wedding. There is also a permanent exhibition of residential interiors, traditional costumes and work equipment. This house therefore brings together a staged presentation and a permanent collection, both of which relate to life and traditional forms in Ždiar.

Votrubova Chata is a historic site in the surroundings of Ždiar. Niedzica - Zamek XIIIw. is a castle in the wider regional surroundings of Ždiar, and Niedzica (Dunajec) - Zamek is also a castle in the wider regional surroundings. Červený Kláštor is a monastery in the wider regional surroundings of Ždiar.

Nature

Ždiar is a starting point for excursions into the Belianske Tatry. The Monkova dolina educational trail begins in Ždiar and runs for 6 km to Kopské sedlo. Monkova dolina was formed by glacial activity; remains of lateral moraines have been preserved on its slopes. Monkova dolina also features a 140 m-high rock step with cascades of waterfalls. The route, geological history and geological formations belong to the same landscape here, but remain recognizable as distinct features.

The individual landscape destinations also differ in their geographical relationship to Ždiar. Belanská Jaskyňa is a cave in the surroundings of Ždiar. Bujačí vrch is a mountain in the immediate surroundings of Ždiar, as are Hlúpy and Ždiarska vidla. The three mountains are thus assigned to the immediate surroundings, while the cave is located in the surroundings of the town.

Winter Sports

The Ski Centre Strachan in Ždiar offers ski cross. The ski cross course at Ski Centre Strachan features jumps, rollers and banked turns over 550 m. The Ždiar–Strednica ski resort has six ski lifts and a 550 m-long four-seater chairlift. In addition, it has 4 km of groomed cross-country ski trails. Thus, Ždiar offers both a specially equipped ski cross course and lifts, a four-seater chairlift and groomed cross-country ski trails.

Further destinations

Further destinations: Vysoké Tatry, Batizovce, Spišské Bystré, Lucivna, Spišská Teplica, Svit, Sunava, Poprad.

To the overarching travel overview: Okres Poprad.