Ząbkowice County

Ząbkowicki County, located in southwestern Poland in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, was established in 1999. The county seat is Ząbkowice Śląskie, and its geographical location between the Bardzkie, Sowie, and Złote Mountains and the Niemczańsko-Strzelińskie Hills makes it an important point in European communication networks. This region has a rich history dating back to the early Middle Ages when the area was inhabited by Poles and connected to key trade routes. The key towns of the region were Ziębice and Ząbkowice Śląskie, which played an important administrative and economic role in the area. The Duchy of Ziębice, established in the 14th century, was one of the weakest in Silesia, which contributed to its frequent changes of power until it was taken over by Prussia in the 18th century. After World War II, the area of the county became part of Poland, and its territory developed administratively, transforming into Ząbkowicki County, which has survived almost unchanged to this day. Architecturally, the region is distinguished by the Renaissance castle in Ząbkowice, known as the first such structure in Silesia. It is worth emphasizing that Ząbkowicki County also has a vibrant cultural life, and the local news portal ZabkowickieInfo.pl provides residents with access to current information. In 2019, a significant level of unemployment was recorded, which poses a challenge to the local economy. The region, as an area with great tourist and cultural potential, certainly has much more to offer both residents and tourists.