In　this　paper　spatial,　functional,　social　and　cultural　aspects　of　smart　village　are　analysed.　Use　of　rural　cultural　heritage　as　an　element　driving　rural　development　is　highlighted.　It　is　indicated　that　the　post-industrial　reality　imposes　a　need　for　a　new　attitude　towards　the　role　and　place　of　cultural　diversity　in　rural　planning.　The　concept　of　smart　village　supported　by　rural　heritage　and　cultural　diversity　is　presented.　It　is　revealed　that　cultural　heritage　is　a　key　resource　of　rural　area,　driving　its　growth　as　well　as　the　performance　of　social　and　economic　goals.　The　＇smart　village＇　concept　defined　in　this　way　should　constitute　a　significant　source　of　competitive　advantage.　©　2020,　Springer　Nature　Switzerland　AG.