Malatiná

Little church in Malatiná,
Little forest surrounding it...

These are the words of the local song. They indicate that the land is mostly deforested and has agricultural character. The village is situated in the Malatinská basin between the regions Orava and Liptov, like in a nest protected by hills Lômy, Eliáš anf Heliáš.
The oldest evidence of settlement dates back to the prehistoric ages. The ancient times are represented by the discovery of Celtic coin called Malatinský ducat. The first written record of Malatiná is from 1313 and it is described as village of yeomanry, later as village of pastoralism. It arose on the trade route which was used for the transport of salt from Poland. Village inhabitants were carriers, lumbermen, but above all peasants, stock breeders and sheep farmers. In the past there used to be many herdsman's huts, but also today you can visit sheep farm where „bryndza“ and smoked cheese are produced. Village dwellers were great craftsmen- coopers, wheelwrights, shinglers, cabinet makers, carpenters or blacksmiths. They were able to produce all things that they needed for everyday life- houses, equipment, kitchenware and work tools. Women spinned and weaved linen and later cotton cloth as well as cloth from sheep wool. Carpets are being produced up to now and skilful weavers use traditional as well as modern techniques.

In the past the village was shaped by the gifts of nature. Log cabins covered with shingle and straw date back to the first third of the 20th century. The oldest building in the village is Roman-Catholic All Saints Church (1804). Altar with piety of Virgin Mary, pulpit, candlesticks (made in the famous workshop of Belopotockovci) and churchbell were preserved from the original wooden church (half o the 17th century).
In the picture you can see that Malatiná is surrounded by beautiful nature and this fact makes the village attractive in summer as well as in winter. Thirty wells and two rich springs can quench thirst of every tourist. During September it´s always good to ride the cycle path across the Malatinské fields. Tourist pathway following the red mark that leads from Malatiná to Borové offers great panorama of the surroundings. Very attractive are walks through Prosiecka and Kvačianska valleys, too. You can also visit water tank Liptovská Mara (9 km), thermal park Bešeňová (15 km) or water park Tatralandia (20 km). Mushroom pickers will appreciate surrounding forests that could be called mushroom paradise. During July visitors come to visit festival of pastoral culture called Bačovské dni (Shepherd Days) and during August they attend festival of rock music called Malatinské Rockovanie (Malatiná Rocking). Winter pedestrian and skiing crossing through Malatinské fields has long-time tradition, too. After a good walk you can spend your time with hearty Malatiná dwellers eating pasty or gnocchi with „bryndza“, you can also taste typical Slovak food „kabáč“ or „baba“ (tiny potato cake) with sour milk.
Everyone who enters Malatinské fields will be enchanted by beautiful nature and will return back for sure.