Wilamowice Foothills

Podgórze Wilamowickie is a physiographic mesoregion located in southern Poland, within the Oświęcim Basin, on the border of the Lesser Poland and Silesian voivodeships. It is characterized by an upland area reaching altitudes of 280 to 300 meters above sea level, with a substrate composed of loess, Carpathian gravels, and Miocene marine sediments. The region is dissected by the valleys of the Soła, Skawa, and Wieprzówka rivers. The main urban centers are Kęty and Wilamowice, and the area also includes municipalities such as Bestwina, Osiek, and Oświęcim. Architecturally, the region is distinguished by traditional wooden structures, often featuring characteristic regional elements that testify to historical building techniques and local culture. The culture of Podgórze Wilamowickie is deeply connected to the history of the local community, including the Vilamovian minority, which has preserved its unique language, customs, and traditions—a rarity in Poland. Interestingly, Wilamowice was a place where a distinctive culture and language developed, blending elements of Germanic and Slavic languages. The region is also known for its agricultural and craft traditions, with rich historical monuments that reflect its long and fascinating history.