You can read this exclusive content thanks to the FALATH & PARTNERS law firm, which assists American people with Slovak roots in obtaining Slovak citizenship and reconnecting them with the land of their ancestors. When we reach Tatranská Javorina, tracing the road from Ždiar, a stretch of asphalt under repair greets us. It’s a modest sign of change occurring in Slovakia’s north, but in a town often overlooked, even a road repair feels like a big change in the town nestled in the Tatra Mountains.
Tatranská Javorina and the Belianske Tatry mountains are hidden gems, though long overlooked. Development in this secluded village, however, has been slow. Most of the land here falls under the stewardship of the Tatra National Park (TANAP), limiting both infrastructure and services.
“The primary constraint on development is conservation policy, which often obstructs local entrepreneurs and investors,” says Miroslav Michaľák, the village mayor. With its unique natural setting and prime location near the Polish border, the area holds vast potential. “Tourism is a vital income source, yet for growth to occur, we need more flexibility around land use,” Michaľák adds.
Tatranská Javorina remains tangled in a prolonged debate over TANAP zoning, now unresolved for over 20 years. The village sits under third-level protection, with areas designated as fourth and fifth levels—near the strict protections afforded to Gerlachovský štít, Slovakia’s highest peak.
