Bystra-Sidzina

The municipality of Bystra-Sidzina, located in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship in the Sucha County, covers an area of 80.43 km², of which 40% is agricultural land and 55% is forested land. The municipality includes two villages: Bystra Podhalańska and Sidzina, as well as ten settlements. In 2002, the municipality was inhabited by 6,372 people. In a historical context, the modern municipality was established on January 1, 1973, with the leading figure based in Bystra, although its earlier history dates back to 1934 when the municipality of Bystra was created, which existed until 1954. Between 1975 and 1976, the municipality was part of the Nowy Sącz Voivodeship, and after administrative changes in 1992, it was reinstated but with altered boundaries. It is worth noting that until 2016, Bystra was known simply as Bystra and was later renamed Bystra Podhalańska. Architecturally, the municipality showcases traditional building styles typical of the Podhale region, with elements of highland culture, which aligns with the local customs and way of life. An interesting fact is that Bystra-Sidzina is one of the few places where preserved regional traditions and rituals can still be found today, making it an intriguing destination for tourists and researchers of folk culture.