Wierzchowo

Wierzchowo is a rural municipality in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, located in the Drawsko County, with its administrative seat in the village of Wierzchowo. According to 2016 data, the municipality had 4,343 inhabitants and ranked 40th in the voivodeship in terms of area. It is situated on the Wałcz Plain and within the Wałcz Lake District, bordering the municipalities of Czaplinek, Kalisz Pomorski, and Złocieniec in Drawsko County, as well as Mirosławiec and Wałcz in Wałcz County. Notably, the area boasts rich natural resources, including forests covering 61% of its territory, and is home to rare animal species such as European bison, white-tailed eagles, and black storks. The municipality features historic churches, including the 19th-century St. Adalbert Church with its bell tower, as well as half-timbered churches in Osiek Drawski and Żabinko. It also serves as a memorial site for World War II battles, with numerous plaques commemorating these events. Recreational areas include the Sośnica Nature Reserve, which protects ancient beech forests. Road transport is provided by provincial road No. 177, and the formerly operational Wierzchowo Pomorskie railway station was once part of important rail connections. The municipality has actively cooperated with the German municipality of Henstedt-Ulzburg since 2003. Administratively, Wierzchowo reported budget expenditures of 17.1 million PLN in 2016, with a debt level of 6.2 million PLN. The localities within the municipality are divided into villages and settlements, and residents participate in various local, national, and European Parliament elections, highlighting their civic engagement. With its cultural and natural diversity, the Municipality of Wierzchowo is an intriguing destination for both tourists and residents.