The typical village ČIČMANY, surrounded by the mountains Strážovské vrchy and Malá Fatra in the southern part of the valley Rajecká dolina, is famous for its original log houses with the typical white ornamentation.
The unique and characteristic element of log houses in Čičmany is their exterior ornamented in geometrical patterns. The authors of ornaments, as a rule, were women who originally adorned only the corners of houses first with mud and later with lime. However, since the 19th century, the motifs have been added and painted all over the exteriors of non-plastered log houses.
The painting was intended to protect the logs against the effects of the rays. Geometrical ornamentation was also used in embroidery applied to garments, pictures, or tablecloths. The Reserve counts 136 houses.
The best-preserved ones include the building of Radenov dom and the neighbouring Gregorov dom, which shelters the ethnographic exhibition where visitors can learn something more about the history and folklore of this region.
