Gronków

Gronków is a village located in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship, in the Nowy Targ County, situated in the valley of the Leśnica stream, at an altitude of 580-650 meters above sea level. It is one of the largest villages in the region in terms of population. In a historical context, Gronków was founded in the mid-16th century by Wierzbita Stary on the orders of the castellan of Czorsztyn, Jan Sienieński. Over the centuries, the village was the subject of numerous legal disputes with the inhabitants of Nowy Targ, who claimed rights to the territory based on the alleged establishment of the village on municipal lands. For many years, the residents of Gronków sought confirmation of their land rights, and legal proceedings continued until the First Partition of Poland. In the 18th century, possibly as a consequence of financial troubles, Gronków became part of the imperial cameral estates, and until the enfranchisement in 1846, local economy was managed by successive owners. The settlement had no manor farm, and peasants were allowed to use the Tatra forests in Bukowina. In the 19th century, the village was affected by emigration to the USA, which intensified particularly in the 1860s. Gronków has rich cultural traditions, including the establishment of the first school in 1890, a chapel dedicated to St. Joseph, the creation of the Volunteer Fire Department in 1934, and a brass band in 1935. The village's recent history was marked by World War II, during which residents experienced violence from both occupiers and partisans. After the war, the village began to rebuild—a new church was constructed, infrastructure was modernized, and in 1996, a local branch of the Związek Podhalan (Highlanders' Association) was established. Gronków is also an example of traditional rural architecture, characterized by a chain-like layout along the valley, with buildings stretching along the valley. Today, the village serves both traditional and modern functions, and its history and culture are important elements of the local community. Interestingly, in 1997, Gronków was hit by a catastrophic flood, with reconstruction costs amounting to approximately 750 million złoty. Modern-day Gronków remains a place with strong traditions, set in the picturesque landscape of the Nowy Targ Basin.