The Slovak village of Vlkolínec, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993, faces a conflict between the preservation of its heritage and the tranquility of its residents. With only 17 inhabitants and approximately 100,000 tourists per year, the village of 45 unaltered wooden houses has become a highly sought-after tourist destination.
Anton Sabucha, a 68-year-old retiree, is one of the most critical voices in this situation. In statements to the France-Presse agency, he ironically questioned whether the village had become a zoo, expressing the locals' desperation in the face of constant tourist pressure.
The residents express their discomfort through signs posted on properties, with messages such as "Private Property," "No Entry," and "Photography Forbidden." These inscriptions reflect the frustration of a community that feels invaded in their daily lives.
The main problem, according to the inhabitants, is that tourists freely roam everywhere, peering into the houses every day. The village, which lived isolated in the mountains of Slovakia for centuries, now sees its UNESCO seal transformed from a reason for celebration into a burden for those who live there.
