Półrzeczki

Półrzeczki is a village located in the Beskid Wyspowy range, in the valley of the Jurkówka stream, at the southern end of the Dobra municipality in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship. It is characterized by a significant proportion of forest land (78.9%) compared to agricultural land (19.5%), making it the most forested locality in the municipality. The soils in Półrzeczki are of poor quality (classes IV–VI), and the main tree species include Carpathian beech, fir, and spruce. The village features numerous buildings, with the highest settlements reaching 820 meters above sea level, making Półrzeczki the highest elevated village in the municipality. Historically, the village is linked to the migrations of Vlach settlers in the 15th and 16th centuries, who engaged in pastoralism and settled in pleasant, mountainous areas, as reflected in local names and traditions. The inhabitants of Półrzeczki, belonging to the ethnographic group of Zagórzanie, have preserved their highland dialect and traditions. It is located 15 km from Mszana Dolna and 22 km from Limanowa, providing easy access to regional attractions. Tourism plays a significant role in the village's life, and Półrzeczki serves as a starting point for trails in the Beskid Wyspowy range, with running and cycling routes. The village has a branch school and a brick chapel dedicated to St. John the Baptist, as well as an IMGW meteorological station. The village experiences a mountainous climate with high precipitation, including orographic rainfall effects, which influences the diversity of flora and fauna. An interesting fact is the story of Dr. Janina Banachowska, a local doctor who for many years documented the life of mountain inhabitants, as well as the historic wooden architecture that can still be found in the village.