Alwernia

The Alwernia Commune, located in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship, within the Chrzanów County, is an urban-rural municipality with its seat in the town of the same name. Covering an area of 75.27 km², Alwernia constitutes 20.26% of the county's total area. The commune includes several villages with the status of sołectwo (administrative rural subdivision), such as Brodła, Grojec, Kwaczała, Mirów, Nieporaz, Okleśna, Podłęże, Poręba Żegoty, Regulice, and Źródła. The commune is characterized by a significant urbanization rate of 27%. In 2020, it was inhabited by 12,490 people, indicating a slight decrease compared to the 12,641 residents recorded in 2017. A considerable portion of the commune's land is used for agricultural purposes (55%) and forests (32%), reflecting a diverse landscape. Alwernia borders municipalities such as Babice, Chrzanów, Czernichów, Krzeszowice, Spytkowice, Trzebinia, and Zator. The town of Alwernia has a partnership with the French town of Évron. The commune boasts rich cultural and historical traditions, with its history dating back to at least the Middle Ages. The region's architecture is enriched by local monuments that bear witness to its past. Although the commune is not a major urban center, its appeal is enhanced by local cultural initiatives, festivals, and celebrations of local holidays that bring the community together. An interesting fact is that the commune was part of the Kraków Voivodeship from 1975 to 1998, which has influenced the preservation of its regional traditions and linguistic heritage.