Zagórze

Zagórze is a village located in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship, in the Chrzanów district, nestled directly in a basin surrounded by hills. Its history dates back to the 13th century, with the earliest traces of settlement linked to a military stronghold on the hill of Grodzisko Duże. In 1228, the village came under ecclesiastical jurisdiction, which significantly influenced its development. At the beginning of the 20th century, brick buildings began to appear, drawing inspiration from traditional Kraków-style cottages characterized by log construction, painted facades, and thatched roofs. An interesting architectural feature of the region is the practice of painting the seals between beams blue, which was believed to have antibacterial properties. After World War II, Zagórze became the largest center in the municipality, attracting residents from surrounding areas, primarily for work in industry and services. The village developed dynamically, and the urbanization process intensified in the 1960s, leading to the construction of suburbs extending all the way to Chrzanów. Zagórze features public facilities such as the Primary School named after Fr. Adolf Chojnacki, a health center, a library, and a lime kiln. It is also home to followers of the Roman Catholic Church and Jehovah's Witnesses, with the Parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary established in 1982. The region is rich in natural tourist attractions, including the Bukowica Nature Reserve with its Carpathian beech forest and loess gullies. Historical strongholds like "Grodzisko Duże" and "Małe" provide evidence of medieval settlement in the area. In recent years, Zagórze has gained significant importance as a recreational destination, benefiting from its proximity to hiking trails, including the Green Lipowiec Trail and local cycling routes, attracting tourists eager to connect with the region's nature and history.