Ropczyce-Sędziszów County

The Ropczyce-Sędziszów County, established in 1999, is located in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship and encompasses areas situated on the borderland between the Carpathian Foothills and the Sandomierz Basin. The county seat is Ropczyce, a town with a rich history dating back to the 13th century when it was granted town rights. The region also developed Sędziszów Małopolski, which was elevated to town status in 1483, and its origins are associated with the Odrowąż family. It was in these areas that defensive settlements existed, and communication routes that have survived to this day played an important role as early as the Middle Ages. The county also deserves attention for its architectural merits, including numerous Roman Catholic churches, with 16 parishes embedded in the region's landscape, and historic buildings. The county's economy is based mainly on agriculture (66.5% of the area), but industry is also a significant sector, including the agri-food and electrical machinery industries. An interesting aspect of the county is its cultural diversity, which is reflected in the activities of local communities, such as the Jehovah's Witnesses congregation and numerous local festivals and traditions. Another interesting fact is that important communication routes run through the county, including the A4 motorway and the E 30 railway line, making it an important point on the transit route through Poland. With its rich and complex history, the county is full of places that can interest both tourists and researchers of the social and cultural life of the region.