Zalipie has been on my "Must See" list for a few years now, it was right below the ABBA museum in Stockholm, (maybe next year). Zalipie would usually get knocked off of the itinerary simply due to the time constraints. It is a four hour drive from Warsaw and not something I would want to do in one day.
This time, however, we decided to combine it with a night in Krakow, so off we went!
Zalipie, "the painted village", is located in the South-Eastern Poland. It is known for the beautifully painted houses, a tradition that started almost a century ago. Back then, women, wanting to cover up the ugly soot stains from the smoke of the wood burning stoves, painted flowers on the walls of their homes. The women lacked the proper tools so they used hairs from the tails of their cows as brushes and cooking fat and dye as paint.
One woman in particular loved the tradition so much, she painted most surfaces of her modest cottage.
Her name was Felicja Curylowa and she is credited with keeping the painting traditions alive in her village. She painted not only walls but also ceilings, floors, stoves, dishes, glass, furniture, doghouses etc. She embroidered folk costumes and her very own beautiful costume can be seen in her home which is now a museum.
The painting trend spread throughout the village and even some adjacent small villages, and since 1948 a special committee awards a certificate to the most beautifully decorated house.
It is best to start the tour at the Curylowa house/museum where, after the short guided tour, one will be given a map of all the houses in the village that are painted. It is best to have a car but it is manageable to walk from house to house. It is important to remember that these are homes where people reside, not really part of the museum. Therefore, one must ask for permission to go inside and take photos. The residents are very lovely and eager to proudly show off their homes but don't want strangers to just barge in. I saw a couple of visitors just walk onto a property without a care and it was a bit rude.
Just ask and you will be invited to see the entire house and some are unbelievable.
I loved this garage
Loved the intricate folk floral patterns, vibrant flowers and vines. It all reminded me a bit of the Polish pottery, Boleslawiec.
Dom Malarek, a cultural center is where one can purchase some very nice souvenirs. I got a beautiful box for teas and a cutting board. The women from individual homes on the map also sell trinkets that they made. It is all very inexpensive but really beautiful.
This is where the tickets are purchased and a map given, the fee is 3-5 zlotych, a couple of $.
I am really happy that i finally got to visit Zalipie, although not as big as I expected, it was still wonderful to see this special little village. Loved the desire for beauty in these very modest surroundings.
Zalipie is about a four hour drive from Warsaw and not even an hour and a half from Krakow.
Joanna
This time, however, we decided to combine it with a night in Krakow, so off we went!
Zalipie, "the painted village", is located in the South-Eastern Poland. It is known for the beautifully painted houses, a tradition that started almost a century ago. Back then, women, wanting to cover up the ugly soot stains from the smoke of the wood burning stoves, painted flowers on the walls of their homes. The women lacked the proper tools so they used hairs from the tails of their cows as brushes and cooking fat and dye as paint.
One woman in particular loved the tradition so much, she painted most surfaces of her modest cottage.
Her name was Felicja Curylowa and she is credited with keeping the painting traditions alive in her village. She painted not only walls but also ceilings, floors, stoves, dishes, glass, furniture, doghouses etc. She embroidered folk costumes and her very own beautiful costume can be seen in her home which is now a museum.
The painting trend spread throughout the village and even some adjacent small villages, and since 1948 a special committee awards a certificate to the most beautifully decorated house.
It is best to start the tour at the Curylowa house/museum where, after the short guided tour, one will be given a map of all the houses in the village that are painted. It is best to have a car but it is manageable to walk from house to house. It is important to remember that these are homes where people reside, not really part of the museum. Therefore, one must ask for permission to go inside and take photos. The residents are very lovely and eager to proudly show off their homes but don't want strangers to just barge in. I saw a couple of visitors just walk onto a property without a care and it was a bit rude.
Just ask and you will be invited to see the entire house and some are unbelievable.
I loved this garage
Loved the intricate folk floral patterns, vibrant flowers and vines. It all reminded me a bit of the Polish pottery, Boleslawiec.
Dom Malarek, a cultural center is where one can purchase some very nice souvenirs. I got a beautiful box for teas and a cutting board. The women from individual homes on the map also sell trinkets that they made. It is all very inexpensive but really beautiful.
This is where the tickets are purchased and a map given, the fee is 3-5 zlotych, a couple of $.
I am really happy that i finally got to visit Zalipie, although not as big as I expected, it was still wonderful to see this special little village. Loved the desire for beauty in these very modest surroundings.
Zalipie is about a four hour drive from Warsaw and not even an hour and a half from Krakow.
Joanna
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