Chybie

Chybie is a rural commune in the southern Silesian Voivodeship, located in the Oświęcim Basin, with a rich history dating back to the 16th century. According to Robert Mrózek, the name of the town derives from the term "high forest with timber trees," and folk etymology links it to a legend about a malicious prince of Pszczyna. Chybie was a center for fish farming, particularly carp, and gained significance in 1856 when a single-track railway line to Czechowice was built. In 1882, the construction of a sugar refinery began, contributing to the further development of the town. Chybie is home to the Amateur Film Club "Klaps," which has been active since 1969. The commune covers an area of 32 km², of which 53% is agricultural land and 27% is forest land. It is characterized by a temperate warm climate, with an average annual temperature of +8°C. An important part of religious life in Chybie are two Catholic churches and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Gołyś. The commune cooperates with Ustka in Poland and Cierlicko in the Czech Republic, and its population in 2017 was 9,741. Culture in Chybie thrives thanks to the Municipal Public Library and the Municipal Cultural Center, and the annual Chybie Days attract many residents from the surrounding area and the Czech Republic. In sports, the Workers' Sports Club Cukrownik operates, running football and table tennis sections. Education is provided through several kindergartens and primary schools, and from 1999 to 2019, two middle schools also functioned. Chybie is also a place of interesting traditions and social activity, with vibrant institutions and initiatives that bring residents together and create a local community.