Where Time Stands Still: The Log Cottages of Vlkolínec

Vlkolínec is a well-preserved mountain village in central Slovakia, not far from Ružomberok, with origins going back to the fourteenth century, its name reflecting the wolves that once roamed the area. People living there were mainly loggers and farmers, earning their living from the land and their handiwork. The village is known for its many wooden cottages lined up along narrow lanes, all built in the traditional style, along with an old wooden bell tower which is a notable feature. Vlkolínec was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, mainly because isolation kept it looking much as it did centuries ago, free from modern changes. It is still a living village, where people keep up old customs and maintain cottages and gardens, offering visitors a look at genuine country life through small museums and folk events.