Podegrodzie

Podegrodzie Commune, located in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship, in the Nowy Sącz County, lies on the left bank of the Dunajec River in the Sądecka Valley, at an altitude of about 340 meters above sea level. The commune covers an area of 63.74 km², of which 66% is agricultural land and 23% is forested. The commune is surrounded by flysch hills, and its natural beauty is enhanced by rich fauna and flora. It borders other communes, including Limanowa and Chełmiec, with its seat in Podegrodzie. The region cherishes the Lach cultural tradition, whose archetypal elements can be seen in its architecture and culture. The commune boasts numerous monuments, including the Stadnicki Manor in Brzezna, churches and chapels such as the Church of St. James the Apostle in Podegrodzie and the Chapel of St. Anne. Other points of interest include the Naszacowice Hillfort and the Monumental Sculpture Open-Air Museum in Rogi. Podegrodzie Commune is renowned for its cultural heritage, promoted by regional folk groups such as Podegrodzcy Chłopcy and the Regional Song and Dance Ensemble "Podegrodzie." Supported by the Communal Cultural Center, these groups participate in national and international competitions. The commune organizes various cultural events, such as Druzbacka and Lachowskie Lato, aimed at promoting local traditions. Additionally, book publications and local press, such as "Wieści Podegrodzkie," help to share the history and culture of the region. Most artifacts of the material culture of the Sądecki Lachs can be viewed at the Zofia and Stanisław Chrząstowski Museum of the Sądecki Lachs and at the Lachowska Homestead "Kubalówka." The commune is also home to a community with a rich history, reflected in the age pyramid of its residents, which illustrates the demographic dynamics of the region. Thus, Podegrodzie is a place full of charm, tradition, and culture, offering the best of Polish countryside life.