Ślemień

Ślemień, a village located in the Silesian Voivodeship on the border of the Little Beskids and the Maków Beskids, boasts a rich history dating back to the 15th century, when it became the center of an estate complex known as the Ślemień Dominion. In 1639, the starost of Średź, Piotr Samuel Grudziński, built a defensive castle here, which was demolished in 1719. Five years later, a palace for the Wielopolski family was erected in its place, of which only fragments of the cellars remain. In the 18th century, Hieronim Wielopolski launched an ironworks in Ślemień, utilizing local bog iron ore. Unfortunately, the ironworks burned down in 1780 and was never rebuilt. Also in the 18th century, Ślemień was known for its distillery, which was one of the first in the region to use potatoes for spirit production. The village is also the seat of the Ślemień municipality and belongs to the Żywiec County. The architecture of Ślemień is distinguished not only by the palace remnants but also by the Sanctuary on Jasna Górka and the former manorial park with monumental trees, including a nearly 400-year-old oak. Tourists are attracted by the market square with its fountain and the Żywiec Ethnographic Park, which spans over 6 hectares and features 17 historic architectural structures reflecting the old urban layout of a Beskid village. Ślemień also contains the ruins of the oldest iron smelting furnace in the Beskids, making it an intriguing destination for visitors. Integral parts of the village include hamlets such as Czeretnik and Groń, as well as numerous other areas like Błachutówka or Gajówka. With its rich history and attractive natural and cultural assets, Ślemień is a fascinating point on the regional map.