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Once upon a time, in a small Polish village called Zalipie, somebody painted a flower on their ceiling in order to cover up a soot mark caused by the stove. Ventilation was poor back then, and soot stains were a common sight in most if not all of the houses, and so other people started concealing the marks with their own little flowers until every house was covered in them.

Eventually everything in town was covered in flowers, from houses and barns to bridges and churches, and every spring since 1948 the village has held a Painted Cottage Competition, or Malowana Chata. The original purpose of this contest was part of a movement to help Poland psychologically recover from the atrocities that the country suffered in World War II.

Today Zalipie is a far cry from those dark times. Situated in the southeast of Poland just 90 minutes from Krakow, this beautifully bright and colorful village is the perfect location for anybody looking for a unique and memorable day trip. (h/t: mentalfloss)

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    Village Of Zalipie

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    Kolohe
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    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That door is breathtaking! I would love to have such a beautiful front door <3

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    #9

    Village Of Zalipie

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    Village Of Zalipie

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    rustic raven
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    WOW wish my stove looked like this . This is so beautiful words are not enough LOVE IT ;=]]

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    #17

    Village Of Zalipie

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    Village Of Zalipie

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    Village Of Zalipie

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    Village Of Zalipie

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    Village Of Zalipie

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    Village Of Zalipie

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    Susann Campbell
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Okay honey , next winter we paint the flowers on the arch door way.

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    #32

    Village Of Zalipie

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    rustic raven
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Bunnies lots of bunnies . Just wish I could do all of this still love the white on black still looks great all over the houses ;=]]

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    Village Of Zalipie

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    Village Of Zalipie

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    rustic raven
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OK I really do think I could do this start with the back yard gate then more ;=]]

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    Village Of Zalipie

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    #40

    Village Of Zalipie

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    rustic raven
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is beautiful looks like the garden is doing good . This place is huge I really wish I a place like this ;=]]

    #41

    Village Of Zalipie

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    #45

    Village Of Zalipie

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    rustic raven
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Love how most of the places are alike but still different .Like how they mix there colors ;=]]

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