Szczyrk, Mountain resort municipality in Bielsko County, Poland
Szczyrk is a municipality in the Beskid Mountains that sits at an altitude of 519 meters and spreads across several forested valleys and mountain slopes. The area includes open meadows, coniferous forests, and ski runs that climb along the hillsides.
The first written mentions date back to the Middle Ages when the area consisted mainly of mountain farmsteads. After the Second World War, the settlement grew into a winter sports center through the construction of ski lifts and lodgings.
The name comes from the word for sharp wind that blows through the valleys between the peaks. Locals maintain a tradition of wood carving and produce small figures and household items at roadside stands for visitors.
Most lodgings sit scattered along the valleys, so visitors should bring footwear suitable for walking on unpaved paths. In winter, warm clothing is necessary as temperatures often drop below freezing.
Some of the older wooden houses in the upper valleys still have traditional shingle roofs made using centuries-old methods. On clear days, you can see as far as the Slovak border from higher vantage points.
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