Iwkowa

The municipality of Iwkowa, located in the southern part of Brzesko County in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship, is a picturesque area situated at the edge of the Carpathian Foothills, in a basin along the Bela and Białka rivers. With its highest peak, Szpilówka (516 meters above sea level), the municipality includes villages such as Dobrociesz, Drużków Pusty, Iwkowa, Kąty, Połom Mały, Porąbka Iwkowska, and Wojakowa. The land use in the municipality is dominated by agricultural areas (65%) and forests (27%), with a total area of 47.19 km². From 1975 to 1998, the municipality belonged to the Tarnów Voivodeship, and according to 2017 data, it was inhabited by 6,415 people. In terms of architecture, the municipality is rich in historical monuments, such as the 15th-century wooden Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Iwkowa, known for its 17th-century polychrome, and the parish church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Wojakowa. The area is also adorned with historical chapels, such as the Chapel of St. Urban and the Statue of St. Florian. It is also worth noting the presence of the Fr. Jan Piechota Parish Museum in Iwkowa, which showcases local traditions and history. Culture in the municipality of Iwkowa thrives thanks to the presence of 5 public primary schools and 2 middle schools, as well as the Municipal Cultural Center, which engages youth in various artistic groups and clubs. The "Iwkowianie" Song and Dance Ensemble represents the municipality at international festivals in various countries, and local events such as the Welcome Summer Festival, the Cultural and Sports Fair, and the Dried Plum Festival attract both residents and tourists. The municipality also offers marked tourist trails, enabling hiking trips to picturesque locations such as the "Kamienie Brodzińskiego" nature reserve or the town of Czchów. An interesting fact is that the municipality of Iwkowa lies on the Plum Trail, reflecting its fruit-growing traditions dating back to the 16th century. The soil and climatic conditions are favorable for fruit tree cultivation, and the local specialty is "susorki iwkowskie," a regional variety of dried fruit. The local economy is typically agricultural, with around 200 private companies, and the picturesque surroundings support the development of tourism. Thanks to convenient transportation connections, Iwkowa is becoming an attractive destination for rest and recreation amidst unspoiled nature.