Together in harmony of nature, body and soul

The aim of the project is to increase the use of cultural and natural heritage by visitors and residents in a sustainable way across borders. We plan to achieve this goal through 5 material tasks of the project. The target groups in the project are residents and visitors of the cross-protective Poland — Slovak region. As part of the implementation of the project, the restoration and reconstruction of cultural and natural monuments in the cross-border area will take place. On the Slovak side will be reconstructed the National Cultural Monument Historical Forest Route Railway, which forms part of the Museum of Kysuce Village in Nová Bystrica — Vychylovka. It is a preserved and functionally restored part of the former Kysucko-Orava Forest Railway, which was established in 1926 by the combination of forest railways built in 1915- 1918. On the Polish side will be reconstructed the old parish in Rajec, where a museum exposition of the history of the miraculous painting of Madonna of Rajcz will be established. The painting of Our Lady of Kazimierzowska dates back to the 17th century and was donated by King John Kazimir to the then inhabitants of the region. Salné Inhalatorium in Rajcz is the third monument of natural character, which will be attractive in the framework of the submitted project. As part of the implementation of the project, side events and promotion of the project will take place on both sides of the border.

Cieľom projektu je zintenzívniť využívanie kultúrneho a prírodného dedičstva návštevníkmi a obyvateľmi cezhraničného trvalo udržateľnou formou. Uvedený cieľ plánujeme dosiahnuť prostredníctvom 5 vecných úloh projektu. Cieľovými skupinami v projekte sú obyvatelia a návštevníci cezraničného poľsko – slovenského regiónu. V rámci realizácie projektu dôjde k obnove a rekonštrukcii kultúrnych a prírodných pamiatok v cezhraničí. Na slovenskej strane bude zrekonštruovaná národná kultúrna pamiatka Historická lesná úvraťová železnica, ktorá tvorí súčasť Múzea kysuckej dediny v Novej Bystrici - Vychylovke. Je zachovanou a funkčne obnovenou časťou bývalej Kysucko-oravskej lesnej železnice, ktorá vznikla v roku 1926 spojením lesných železníc vybudovaných v roku 1915 - 1918. Na poľskej strane bude zrekonštruovaná stará fara v Rajci, kde bude následne zriadená muzeálna expozíciao histórii zázračného obrazu Madony z Rajcze. Obraz Panny Márie Kazimierzowskej pochádza z 17. storočia, daroval ho kráľ Ján Kazimír vtedajším obyvateľom kraja. Soĺné inhalatória v Rajczi je treťou pamiatkou prírodného charakteru, ktorá bude zatraktívnená v rámci predloženého projektu. V rámci realizácie projektu budú na obidvoch stranách hranice prebiehať sprievodné podujatia a propagácia projektu .

Project successes Refurbishment of the historic rectory and creation of a museum exhibition Thanks to a grant from European funds, the historic rectory in Rajcz was renovated. Reconstruction was one of the key tasks within the project. They financed themselves, Father. Costs for a new roof, a new facade and a building insulation. The museum collects monuments linked to the cult of the image of Our Lady of Mercy – Kazimierzowska in Rajcz, as well as with the life of the parish. They were collected over the course of several centuries, from the 17th century onwards, by other pastors and pastors as well as residents of the parish. For several months, the process of collecting exhibits has been an important part of the life of the local community, which plays an important role in the creation of the museum. The purchase of exhibition equipment and the establishment of the reading room were financed from the funds of the project. The building is supervised, has a bathroom and access for people with disabilities. The Museum and the Marienkult correspond to the “Harmonie of the Soul”, which is one of the components of the project. Inhalation to support the psychophysical condition of tourists and residents In the centre of Rajcze, an inhalation was created, which is another important part of the project next to the museum. The construction of the newly built building follows the regional architectural style and the basement contains traditional local motifs. An installation is installed in the building that ensures constant access to healing salt water. In addition to inhalation, the device also allows the extraction of low concentration saline for cosmetic purposes. The inhaler has a closed cycle of healthy water, which supports the efficient use of the brine. It is interesting that the floor in the building is to be heated according to the plan and also has an anti-slip function. It is also decorated with four bas-reliefs that tell the story of Rajcz and the Polish-Slovak border area. The inhalation is another element that corresponds to the theme and at the same time the goal of the project – “Harmonie of the Body” – as it unites and promotes the ideas of balneology and the efficient use of natural resources to ensure the well-being of residents and tourists. As part of the Soft Activities, the symposium “Culture, Health, Sacrum in the Borderland” is planned, where free medical consultations will be possible. A narrow gauge railway as part of the local promotion of history and culture On the Slovak side, a partial restoration and reconstruction of the historic forest promontory was carried out, which is part of the museum of the village Kysucka in Nova Bystrica – Vychylovka. Part of the railway infrastructure and a platform at one of the small stops will be reconstructed. A train ride is an extraordinary experience not only for railway enthusiasts from Poland and Slovakia, but also for all those who long for relaxation in the charming surroundings of the forest nature. The tourist attraction “Railway” as “Harmonie of Nature” is the third building block of the project.