This amazing town in Poland is filled with colorfully cottages which are painted in bright floral motifs. This tradition of painting goes back more than a century.
Zalipie is a small ancient town made up of small, brightly colored cottages. Although there are no 5-star resorts in Zalipie, this town in southeastern Poland is one of the country’s main tourist attractions. The colorfully decorative cottages are painted in floral patterns, and repainted every year, and this is part of a tradition that goes back over a century. After the feast of Corpus Chisti, all the town’s ladies would brighten up their motifs with fresh color during this time before the busy farming season would be begin.
Because artists materials are not readily available in Zalipie, the ladies would construct their own brushes from cow tails, and their own paint using cooking fat. Not only are all the cottages painted, but dog houses and barns are included in the festive art making.
One of these ladies in particular, Felicja Curylowa, was made famous for her obsession with this painting tradition. Every surface of her cottage was covered with colorful floral decorations—both inside and outside. Her home was then turned into a museum and a tourist attraction after her death in 1974.
There is no better time to visit Zalipie than the spring when the town holds its annual house painting competition called , “Malowana Chata”—an event that started in 1948 just after World War II—in order to mask some of he destruction caused by the war.
Compared to other tourist spots, Zalipie is relatively uncrowded. There is a relaxed atmosphere and a colorful ancient charm that it’s rare to find anywhere else.
These houses are brightly painted in colorful floral motifs each year.
This is part of a tradition that goes back over a century.
Every year, the town ladies repaint the floral designs after the Corpus Christi feat, before farming starts.
Barns and animal homes are also brightly decorated in floral patterns.
Since 1948, Zalipie has held it’s annual painting competion or “Malowana Chata”.
This tradition started after World War II in order to cover the damage from the war.
Cottage interiors are also brightly decorated…
…as are wells, bridges and sidewalks.
Here are a few more shots of this unique and wonderful town:
It is certainly a place with art, tradition, and heritage that is rare these days.
