Turák & vnuk distillery and brewery in Stará Turá. (source: SME-Jozef Ryník)
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In the picturesque Myjava region of western Slovakia, where small farms are nestled among undulating hills, a deep-rooted tradition of distillation thrives.
This area is renowned for its orchards, which yield an abundance of high-quality plums, apples, and pears. Amidst these orchards, some rare hemlocks stand as silent witnesses to centuries gone by, with lifespans extending up to 300 years and requiring decades to fully mature. This unique agricultural bounty has spurred local entrepreneurs to craft exquisite fruit distillates, sustaining a proud heritage and a burgeoning local industry.
Nestled in the town of Stará Turá, the distillery affiliated with the craft brewery Turák & vnuk offers a delightful escape. Visitors can indulge in high-quality spirits and beers, all while savouring a meal in a quaint restaurant that boasts panoramic views of the idyllic countryside.
In the town of Myjava, one finds another distillery well worth the visit, Myjavská pálenica. This establishment is not only a feast for the palate but also for the eyes, with its striking brick-lined exterior and view of gleaming copper cauldrons where high-quality distillates are meticulously crafted. Much like the well-known Turák & vnuk brewery, this distillery offers tasting experiences complemented by carefully curated food pairings.
For those who lean towards a more caffeinated indulgence, Café CoolTura in nearby Stará Turá provides a delightful alternative. This cosy spot serves up quality coffee sourced from a Slovak roaster, alongside a selection of house-made lemonades and delectable desserts, making it a perfect destination for coffee aficionados and sweet tooths alike.
Café CoolTura offers high-quality coffee from a Slovak roaster. (source: SME-Jozef Ryník)
Lavender farm in the Myjava hills
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In the Myjava hills, alongside traditional fruit orchards, lies an unconventional addition:
a lavender farm named Violet Hill. This small, five-acre family farm has been lovingly tended by Patrícia and Jaroslav Zemans since 2019, when they purchased the property, which included a house and a spacious garden, from its original owners.
Among the giant pear trees, the couple cultivates 800 lavender bushes behind their home.
"We grow two varieties of lavender: one edible and one inedible," Patrícia explains. "The edible variety can be used to make syrup, jam, tea, or to flavour baked goods. The inedible variety is utilised for making oil, soap, and other cosmetics."
In addition to their careers in IT, the couple assembles gift packages for customers. Their farm is a popular destination for wedding photo shoots, and they also offer self-harvesting opportunities for lavender, which can bloom twice a year.
“Our customers are often local, but we receive many orders for wedding baskets, especially from eastern Slovakia,” Patrícia said, describing their clientele.
The Zemans own a lavender farm in the village of Poriadie in the Myjava region. (source: archív: Violet Hill)
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the couple experienced their most successful season, attracting around 200 visitors to their farm for self-harvesting over a single weekend. In addition to their regular jobs, they realised they were working 16-hour days. After a family meeting, they decided to cancel the farm photoshoot, as the preparations proved too time-consuming.
While they continue to offer self-harvesting, they have also begun harvesting for themselves. Patrícia, who oversees the farm's finances, noted, "We wouldn't be able to pay workers."
Despite these challenges, the couple remains optimistic about the future. They recently purchased a sewing and embroidery machine to create folk designs on T-shirts, with plans to expand the sale of local products through an online store. They have also opened a new shop in Myjava.
Local food and beverages are served also in Café CoolTura in Stará Turá. (source: SME-Jozef Ryník)
Restaurant where Slovak presidents also ate
For those seeking a satisfying meal, the Na nátoni restaurant in Myjava - a cellar built on the foundations of an old cottage - offers a taste of traditional local dishes alongside specialties from global cuisines.
In his restaurant, Rastislav Viskup prioritises local sourcing for his ingredients. He sources meat from the local company Svaman, cheese from a sheep farm in a nearby Moravian village, and vegetables and herbs from the Vlčí mak farm in Gbely, located in the Záhorie region in the far west of Slovakia.
The restaurant focuses on providing a personalised experience for guests and offers special events, tasting dinners, and catering services in addition to regular dining. There is no daily lunch menu, as the establishment specialises in tasting and grilling menus, as well as organising celebrations.
Viskup envisions Myjava and its surrounding hills and scattered settlements as a prime destination for gastronomic tourism. He believes that visitors can enjoy a meal at the restaurant while exploring the area on foot or by bike. Locals, he notes, frequently use the venue for celebrations. Viskup also proudly recounts that both former President Andrej Kiska and former President Zuzana Čaputová have dined at his establishment.
While he welcomes the increase in tourism to the region, Viskup suggests that more promotional efforts are needed. He points out that the Myjava hills are easily accessible from Bratislava and offer stunning natural landscapes ideal for walking and cycling. He advocates for enhanced support in developing accommodation and dining facilities to cater to growing visitor numbers.
Looking to the future, Viskup hopes to expand the restaurant's hours of operation while maintaining its high standards.
The mayor of Brezová pod Bradlom, Jaroslav Ciran, recommends the restaurant and guesthouse Holotéch víška in the village of Košariská. Housed in a tastefully renovated historic building, the guesthouse is open only on weekends. In the same village, tourists can also visit the restaurant Gurmán for a tasty meal, including pizza.
Another option is the recently renovated Gregorov mlyn in Hradište pod Vrátnom, which also operates only on weekends and by special arrangement.
Lack of networking
Tourists have the opportunity to discover many hidden gems in the hills of Myjava, yet often these places remain obscure, encountered only by chance or through local recommendations.
Eva Zekucia, a member of the civic association Odkaz Štefánik, notes that while the area boasts numerous intriguing sites, they lack a network or system to get the word out. Consequently, visitors may be unaware of unique attractions such as the manual paper production in the nearby village of Prietrž.
Nonetheless, Zekucia is encouraged by the emergence of positive developments in the region, which are creating beloved destinations that people look forward to revisiting.
What else you should not miss out on in the Myjava region
Observatory and Habánsky mlyn (mill), Sobotište
M.R. Štefánik Museum, Košariská: The exhibition highlights key moments in the life of General Milan Rastislav Štefánik, statesman and diplomat.
Mohyla pod Bradlom: A significant architectural monument, this site is the final resting place of M.R. Štefánik and three Italian pilots.
FarmaPARK in Lubina is an ideal destination for families with children. The park offers a chance to see a variety of animals, including domestic and forest species, as well as more exotic creatures like camels and kangaroos.
Prameň na súši in Súš, Stará Turá: A Christian centre for young people and families also serves as a hub for local production, crafting items such as teas and syrups.
Záhrada Podjavorina, Hrnčiarové, Lubiná: A refreshment stand, offering a selection of local cheeses, meats, and pasta.
Blue little houses, flats in historic houses, Podbranč
Chata Bradlo, a cottage underneath M.R. Štefánik Barrow on the Bradlo
Holubyho chata, Veľká Javorina: A well-known tourist lodge in the White Carpathians on the border of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Hostinec U Klačkov, a pension and restaurant with good food and local products
Na konci sveta, a pub in Lubina
Biomila SK, a company that produces organic food, Rudník
Herbex, a producer of natural herbal teas, Hrašné
Hand-made paper production, Prietrž
Branč castle ruins, Podbranč
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