Mielec County

Mielec County, established in 1999 as part of the administrative reform, is located in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship, with its seat in Mielec, which is also its largest city. According to 2020 data, the county had approximately 136,672 inhabitants. The history of the county dates back to 1853, when it covered an area of 837 km². Initially, its boundaries included Mielec, Radomyśl Wielki, Rzochów, and Przecław. After World War I, the county was incorporated into the Kraków Voivodeship, and after World War II, it became part of the Rzeszów Voivodeship. In 1975, as a result of another administrative reform, Mielec County was dissolved and later reinstated in 1999. The county has been governed by successive starosts, including Józef Smaczny, Andrzej Chrabąszcz, and the current starosta, Stanisław Lonczak. Mielec County is rich in architectural monuments, such as the Church of St. Adalbert in Gawłuszowice from 1677, the Minor Basilica of St. Matthew in Mielec from 1526, the Manor House in Przecław, and the defensive-residential tower in Rzemień, most likely dating back to the 15th century. The county also boasts beautiful parks and manor houses, like the Oborski Manor in Mielec. Nature reserves, such as Bagno Przecławskie and Buczyna, highlight the region's natural beauty. Culturally, Mielec County is home to 33 Roman Catholic parishes, as well as congregations of the Pentecostal Church and Jehovah's Witnesses. The county is bordered by neighboring counties, including Tarnobrzeg, Kolbuszowa, and Dębica. Mielec, with its long history, is an important part of the cultural and social heritage of the Podkarpacie region, and its architectural diversity and rich religious life attract both residents and tourists alike.