Ján Kovačka’s house in Horný Kalník, a village in the Martin district, is impossible to miss. (source: Miroslava Kovačková)
Ján Kovačka’s house in Horný Kalník, a village in the Martin district, is impossible to miss. The yard is a whimsical spectacle, brimming with garden gnomes, animal statues, and even a fence made of skis. Across the road, a hillside features figures of a man and a woman, reports The Slovak Spectator’s sister publication My Turiec.
The transformation of his ancestral home began more than 20 years ago. Kovačka, who was living in Martin at the time, reclaimed the property after being owned by a cooperative. Once he bought it back, he remodelled the house and set about turning it into a reflection of his own imagination.
The ski fence was his first major project. “I saw it in a magazine and got inspired,” he explains. Over the years, he has amassed more than 90 pairs of skis. Some were his own, while neighbours contributed others, including a rare pair of old wooden skis discovered in an attic.
When Juraj Blanár, who now serves as foreign minister, visited the village, he admitted he had seen a lot of places, but never anything like this. “He said he’d bring me his skis, but now, as a minister, he’s got other worries,” Kovačka laughs.
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Bringing joy to people
In summer, Kovačka’s fence is adorned with a quirky tableau: a man and woman fashioned from skis, standing beside a bicycle, while horses in the foreground pull a plough. But now, with the arrival of winter, he has transformed the display into a festive spectacle.
The mannequins have been wrapped in winter coats and reflective vests, with skis strapped on for seasonal flair. Even the horses have found a new role. “I hid some of the decorations and thought for a long time about how to use the horses outside,” says the 77-year-old. “Finally, I had them pull an old sleigh. I think it belonged to my grandparents—it could be a hundred years old.”
Kovačka’s enthusiasm for the festive season is evident in the many St Nicholases dotting his yard. One perches on a sleigh, others on a bicycle, in a window, on a bench, and even clinging to the frame of a summer swing. The horses and other yard animals sport St Nicholas hats, adding to the charm.
By evening, Kovačka’s house is unmissable. Strings of lights stretch along the house and fence, bathing the property in a warm glow. “People like it,” he says cheerfully. “They stop by and take pictures. That’s how I wanted to bring them some joy at Christmas.”
While his outdoor display sparkles with festive spirit, Kovačka’s interior remains understated. “My wife and I live in a flat in Martin—this is more of a summer house,” he explains. Still, a decorated tree stands proudly in the front room, hinting at the season’s magic indoors.
Souvenirs from around the world
However, the interior is a treasure trove of souvenirs from around the globe, a testament to Kovačka’s travels. His job once made exploring the world possible. “I worked as a test driver for tanks at ZŤS,” he explains. “Later, they sent me abroad as a service mechanic since we supplied tanks to several countries.” This work took him to places like Syria, India, and Libya.
Neither did retirement slow him down. With his wife, he journeyed to the USA, Canada, Dubai, Cuba, Egypt, and the Netherlands. His walls are adorned with tapestries from India and cobra skins from Syria; a Cuban iguana sits on the mantelpiece, while Dutch chairs stand proudly by the table.
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