Oravska Polhora Off The Beaten Path

Nothing much interested, I think. Just look at typical people houses located on both sides of Highway 521. They are made of brick or other brick-like materials, painted and roofed with iron or other sheet.

There is no large differences in that matter on both sides of Polish-Slovak border. Maybe there are more wooden old and new houses in Poland. And one more thing: it seems that there are more differences in household incomes in Poland now, so in contrast to Slovak side you can find new, large and pretty houses among old, ugly and very neglected ones on Polish side of the border.

We were a little surprised to see two women speaking Polish walking on foot back to Poland with heavy bags in their hands. They must had done big shoping in Slovakia (smugglers?). Prices for food and drinks (booze!) were a little higher in Poland. It still changes and probably the prices will be almost the same on both sides of the border soon.

There were (maybe still are) people whose business (illegal) was to walk on foot across the border many times each day to buy cheaper goods in one country and sell at higher prices in the other - without paying customs and other taxes. They were called "mrowki" = ants because they could cross the border even 20 times a day. It was (is) maybe not very civilized way of commerce but convenient and socially acceptable by many costumers as the prices remained lower that way.

Oravska Polhora is relatively large village of 3,530 inhabitants in 2001. The village is looong for many kilometers with houses and stores located on both sides of the main highway 521.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
1588 - the first written mention on Oravska Polhora when the entry was made into the tax register. The village was located inside dence woods that time. Woodwork has traditionally been the main source of living for men and women in the village.

1864 - 1918 there were famous spa baths that time. There are several wells, which are an excellent source of mineral water around Oravska Polhora. The most popular of these wells is in Slana Voda (Salt Water) which has got the highest concentration of minerals (iodine and bromine). Good against VT-addiction, I think :-)))

Now, there are moderately good facilities for skiing in winter (2 ski lifts - with runs of 300 m and 800 m in length). Most skiers come there from Poland as I know.

The village is not dirty but not very clean as well I could say. There were a lot of round, metal trash boxes put in front of the houses along the highway 521 - it didn't look pretty to be honest.
I think that - like in Poland now - all inhabitants must prove what they do with their home trashes and they were obliged to make a deal with a company which takes their trash away.

Ten new countries including Poland and the Slovak Republic enter European Union on 1 May 2004. The border will surely remain at the same place but there will be no border checkup in Korbielow - Oravska Polhora. As for me it's great although it's somewhat less romatic to cross the border without any checkup.

Hmm... what will happen to these buildings and people working there when both countries enter European Union on 1 May 2004? Any ideas?

I would like to see tourist information offices there. Add exchange money till both countries get euros, gift stores, restaurants etc. Maybe local small museum as well. Good ideas?

The village looked empty when we were there. We met a few natives drinking beer in front of local grocery. Hmm... where do the people work there? I think that there is no much choice although we found a few commercials of local companies there as you can see on my picture.

The most visible business are local, small groceries built for... visitors from Poland who come there to buy cheaper food and drinks.

Local houses are relatively large (for more than 1 family, I suppose) and they are usually packed one by one along Highway 521. Their yards are relatively small and quite often neglected (not cut grass, some mess :-). The same on Polish side of the border.