Start Slideshow
Zalipie Poland Painted HomeThe small village of Zalipie, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?s=Poland&_=1486146333">Poland</a> leaves a big, bright, and beautiful impression on travelers. Everywhere you look you will see <a href="http://mentalfloss.com/article/80547/zalipie-polands-prettiest-painted-village">hand-painted floral designs</a> on homes, barns, bridges, wells, and chicken coops. The tradition began a century ago, but only within the last few decades was it transformed into an annual contest to turn the tiny town into a living piece of art, and heal post-WWII blues at the same time.1
Zalipie Poland Painted HouseThe practice of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?s=painting&_=1486146357">painting</a> flowers began informally and blossomed into a town tradition over the years.2
Zalipie Painted WellAnd the designs spread outside the home to the exterior of buildings and even backyard and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?s=community&_=1486146372">community</a> structures.3
Zalipie Painted Village WallThe trend continued over the decades and a contest was created to bring up the spirits of the local community after <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?s=WWII&_=1486146390">WWII</a>. The <em>Malowana Chata</em> (Painted Cottage) competition officially became an event in 1965 and still continues today.4
Zalipie Poland Painted BulidingThe media have improved from cooking fat-based paints to more hardy materials and the villagers have worked hard to preserve as much of the original <a href="http://inhabitat.com/?s=artwork&_=1486146408">artwork</a> as they can.5
Zalipie Poland Village StructureZalipie is only an hour and a half outside of Krakow, so visitors traveling by car can easily enjoy the breathtaking blooms.6
