Did you know that the statue of Juraj Jánošík in Terchová was originally meant to look completely different?

When you hear Terchová, most people immediately think of Juraj Jánošík – the legendary outlaw who became a symbol of freedom, courage, and tradition in this region. Today, a 7.5-meter-tall steel statue towers above the village, attracting thousands of visitors every year. But did you know that the original plan was far more ambitious?

The plan: A 30-meter giant in the Vrátna Valley

In the 1980s, sculptor Ján Kulich came up with a bold idea: to create a 30-meter-tall statue of Jánošík right at the entrance to the Vrátna Valley. And it wasn’t supposed to be just an ordinary statue – it was designed as a gateway to the whole region.

• Jánošík was meant to stand with his legs wide apart, so visitors would walk between them directly into the valley.

• Inside his shoe, a small museum about the history and culture of Terchová was planned.

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• And in his hat, even a restaurant with stunning views of the Malá Fatra mountains!

Just imagine this attraction – it would certainly have become one of Slovakia’s biggest landmarks.

Why was the project never realized?

As often happens, reality stood in the way. Environmentalists said a firm no – the giant would have intruded into a protected area and drastically altered the natural landscape of the Vrátna Valley.

Instead of the monumental project, a “smaller” version was unveiled in 1988 – the 7.5-meter-tall statue that still watches over Terchová today.

A must-see symbol of Terchová

Even though it is smaller, the statue has become one of the most striking symbols of Terchová and the Malá Fatra region. Built from stainless steel and weighing 16 tons, it attracts visitors from across Slovakia and beyond every year.

The view from the statue over the village and surrounding nature is simply breathtaking and well worth the walk.

When you stay with us at Apartmán Adventourist, make sure to take a trip to the statue. And while you’re there, picture what the original 30-meter version with its hidden museum and restaurant might have looked like.

Maybe it’s actually for the best that the project was never built – the nature of the Vrátna Valley remained untouched, and we still have a beautiful spot where legend meets reality.