Murow

The municipality of Murów, formerly known as the municipality of Zagwiździe, is located in the Opole Voivodeship, within Opole County. The administrative seat of the municipality is the village of Murów. The history of the municipality dates back to the 1970s, when, until 1998, it was part of the Opole Voivodeship. In 2009, German was introduced as an auxiliary language here, highlighting the region's multicultural character. The municipality covers an area of 159.7 km², dominated by forest areas (74.8% of the total area), making it one of the most forested regions in Poland, especially when compared to the average forest cover of the voivodeship and the country. The forests of Murów are part of the Stobrawsko-Turawskie Forest complex and create picturesque landscapes ideal for recreation and tourism. In the villages of the municipality, such as Bukowo, Dębiniec, or Grabice, one can observe architectural elements of traditional Polish rural buildings, as well as German influences in the structures, resulting from historical settlement patterns. The municipality has a rich local culture, with many traditions and customs cherished by its inhabitants. In 2014, a demographic study conducted in the municipality revealed that the population in 2017 was 5,397, which decreased to 5,298 by 2019, illustrating a depopulation trend in some rural areas. The municipality is also known for the diversity of its administrative villages, such as Nowe Budkowice or Radomierowice, and smaller localities like Bożejów or Morcinek, which can be interesting destinations for tourists seeking authentic rural experiences. The surrounding area of the municipality includes other municipalities, such as Dobrzeń Wielki or Kluczbork, fostering local cooperation. An interesting fact is the high forest cover rate in the municipality and the fact that Murów constitutes only 10.1% of the total area of Opole County, highlighting the diversity of the region's terrain. The municipality of Murów is a place that combines natural wealth, tradition, and history, making it an attractive destination not only for residents but also for tourists wishing to explore the unknown corners of the Opole region.