Wadowice County

Wadowice County, located in the western part of the Lesser Poland Voivodeship, is a region rich in history and culture, with strong religious traditions. The county is home to 56 Roman Catholic parishes, as well as various Protestant denominations and other religious groups. A unifying architectural theme is its numerous sacred monuments, including the Basilica of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and sanctuaries associated with the figure of John Paul II, who was born in Wadowice. The region also boasts many wooden churches, historic monasteries, and chapels. Historical highlights include castles such as the ruins on Lanckorona Hill and the castle in Spytkowice, as well as the medieval urban layout of Lanckorona. Religious tourism is one of the key aspects of the region, attracting pilgrims from all over Poland, particularly to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, known for its Passion Plays. The county is also a hub for active cultural and nature tourism, with numerous hiking trails and sports attractions, including ski lifts and a kayaking harbor. The local economy is based on developed small and medium-sized enterprises, with a strong industrial sector in Andrychów, Wadowice, and Kalwaria Zebrzydowską, where key industries include food processing, machinery, and woodworking. The county also holds agricultural significance, with a dominant presence of individual family farms producing healthy food. It is worth emphasizing that Wadowice County not only captivates with its cultural richness and traditions but is also dynamically developing its transportation infrastructure, paving the way for even greater growth in tourism and entrepreneurship.