Jeleśnia

Jeleśnia is a village in Poland, located in the Silesian Voivodeship, in the Żywiec County, at the foot of the Beskid Żywiecki Mountains. Geographically, it lies on the border between the Maków Beskids and the Żywiec Beskids, with the Sopotnia and Koszarawa rivers flowing through its area. The elevation difference reaches up to 1107 meters, resulting in a picturesque landscape. The municipality covers an area of 13,845 hectares, largely covered by forests, primarily spruce, with small remnants of Carpathian beech forests. Key protected areas include nature reserves around Pilska, Hala Rysianka, and Romanka. Jeleśnia's climate is characterized by significant annual temperature variations and high precipitation, with yearly totals ranging from 945 to 1510 mm, which influences local hydrological conditions and ecosystems. The village features several valuable historical monuments, including the Parish Church of St. Adalbert and a 19th-century brick chapel in Jeleśnia Dolna. Traditional stone figures and shrines scattered throughout the area highlight the local cultural heritage. In the 18th century, Jeleśnia came under Austrian rule, which shaped its development. Historical records date back to the 16th century, and the village once served as a key transit point for travelers heading to Pilska and Babia Góra. The community hosts numerous cultural events, such as "Gody Jeleśniańskie" and "Dni Jeleśni," which promote regional traditions and folklore. An interesting fact is that Jeleśnia functioned as an important tourist hub as early as the beginning of the 20th century, with well-developed hospitality infrastructure. Today, besides tourism, the region is home to businesses such as APTIV Services Poland S.A. and the "Żywiec Zdrój" mineral water bottling plant. Despite the passage of time, Jeleśnia has preserved its local traditions and remains an attractive destination for tourists seeking to explore the beauty of the Beskids and regional culture.