Cisna

Cisna is a picturesque village in the Bieszczady Mountains, located in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship, in Lesko County. Its history dates back to 1552, when it was founded by the Bal family. Over the centuries, it witnessed many important events, including struggles with Hungarian bandits and national uprisings. In the 19th century, Cisna became an industrial center when Jacek Fredro launched an ironworks, utilizing local ore deposits. The village was also the site of battles during World War I, and in the interwar period, it enjoyed the status of a summer resort and was home to border guards. During World War II, Cisna experienced tragedy when the German occupiers massacred the local Jewish community, and later it faced brutal attacks by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). Despite these tragic events, the village slowly rebuilt after the war and gained spa status in 1974. Architecturally, Cisna is characterized by traditional buildings, including wooden churches, old residential houses, and tourist infrastructure. Today, it is a popular destination for tourists, offering hiking trails and a narrow-gauge railway, as well as agritourism centers. A cultural curiosity is the fact that the village has inspired artists, and one of the most famous musical works is Krystyna Prońko's song "Deszcz w Cisnej" (Rain in Cisna). Cisna hosts cultural events such as the Festival of Various Arts and the Butcher's Run, attracting enthusiasts of active recreation and art. Demographically, the village has evolved, but its rich history, traditions, and natural beauty continue to draw tourists from all over Poland and abroad.