Andrychów

The municipality of Andrychów, located in the western part of the Małopolskie Voivodeship, is an important center of tourism, industry, and culture. Known as the tourist gateway to the Beskid Mały mountain range, it offers diverse forms of recreation year-round, including mountain hiking and cycling trails, winter sports, and rock climbing. The region boasts numerous attractions such as Leskowiec, Groń Jana Pawła II, the Madahora Nature Reserve, and an artificial climbing wall in Andrychów. The municipality also features skiing infrastructure, including the SKI-Centrum Pracica. Andrychów is home to several horse riding centers, and the Mini Zoo Kucyk attracts equestrian enthusiasts. The broad tourist offerings are supported by a growing agritourism sector. The local economy is primarily concentrated in Andrychów, which hosts factories in the textile and machinery industries. Between 2007 and 2008, a series of infrastructure investments were implemented, improving transportation. The municipality consists of the town of Andrychów and seven surrounding villages, with eight administrative units (sołectwa). It serves as an important educational and cultural hub, organizing exhibitions, concerts, and preserving highland traditions. Branches of the Cultural Center and the Municipal Public Library offer a rich cultural program. Museums, such as the Historical and Ethnographic Museum, are also located in Andrychów. The region has a population of 43,800, and its demographic and religious structure reflects the diversity of its inhabitants. The area experiences a varied climate, favorable for agriculture and outdoor activities, and lies within the basin of the Wieprzówka River, with convenient access to major roads and railway lines. Thanks to its proximity to mountains and natural attractions, Andrychów continues to grow in popularity among tourists.