Wodzisław County

Wodzisław County (Polish: powiat wodzisławski) is a unit of territorial administration and local government (powiat) in Silesian Voivodeship, southern Poland, on the Czech border. It came into being on 1 January 1999 as a result of the Polish local government reforms passed in 1998. Its administrative seat and largest town is Wodzisław Śląski, which lies 49 kilometres (30 mi) south-west of the regional capital Katowice. The county contains three other towns: Rydułtowy, 7 km (4 mi) north of Wodzisław Śląski, Radlin, 4 km (2 mi) north-east of Wodzisław Śląski, and Pszów, 7 km (4 mi) north-west of Wodzisław Śląski.

Wodzisław County Powiat wodzisławski
County
Flag Coat of arms
Location within Silesian Voivodeship
Coordinates (Wodzisław Śląski): 50°0′N 18°27′E / 50.000°N 18.450°E / 50.000; 18.450
Country	Poland
Voivodeship	Silesian
Seat	Wodzisław Śląski
Gminas	Total 9 (incl. 4 urban) Pszów Radlin Rydułtowy Wodzisław Śląski Gmina Godów Gmina Gorzyce Gmina Lubomia Gmina Marklowice Gmina Mszana
Government
• Starosta	Tadeusz Skatuła
Area
• Total	286.92 km^2 (110.78 sq mi)
Population  (2019-06-30^[1])
• Total	157,346
• Density	550/km^2 (1,400/sq mi)
• Urban	101,280
• Rural	56,066
Car plates	SWD
Website	https://www.powiatwodzislawski.pl/

The county covers an area of 286.92 square kilometres (110.8 sq mi). As of 2019 its total population is 157,346, out of which the population of Wodzisław Śląski is 47,992, that of Rydułtowy is 21,616, that of Radlin is 17,776, that of Pszów is 13,896, and the rural population is 56,066.

History

Wodzisław area was heavily influenced by the Duchy of Racibórz, Duchy of Wodzisław and Wodzisław State country in the Middle Ages and later. First Wodzisław county was created in 1954. It covered vast area, including current Wodzisław County and Jastrzębie-Zdrój. In 1975 administrative reforms repealed counties (powiaty) in Poland. In 1999 Jerzy Buzek government restored Wodzisław county (without Jastrzębie) along with other counties.

Neighbouring counties

Wodzisław County is bordered by Racibórz County to the west, the city of Rybnik and Rybnik County to the north-east, and the city of Jastrzębie-Zdrój to the east. It also borders the Czech Republic to the south.

Administrative division

The county is subdivided into nine gminas (four urban and five rural). These are listed in the following table, in descending order of population.

Gmina	Type	Area (km^2)	Population (2019)	Seat
Wodzisław Śląski	urban	49.6	47,992
Rydułtowy	urban	15.0	21,616
Gmina Gorzyce	rural	64.5	21,285	Gorzyce
Radlin	urban	12.5	17,776
Pszów	urban	20.4	13,896
Gmina Godów	rural	38.0	13,758	Godów
Gmina Lubomia	rural	41.8	7,925	Lubomia
Gmina Mszana	rural	31.0	7,702	Mszana
Gmina Marklowice	rural	13.8	5,396	Marklowice

Sights

Wodzisław Śląski

• the gothic church of "Sante Trinity" from 15th century (Kościół św. Trójcy), erected in 1257 year
• the Monastery from 17th century ( "Klasztor franciszkański" ), erected in 1257 year
• the neo-gothic church of "Assumption of St. Mary" (Kościół WNMP)
• the building of the former district authority (19th century)
• the neo-classical Wall tower (Baszta rycerska)
• the Classicism Palace oldest in Poland from 1745 year. (Today Museum)
• the old town square (Rynek),
• the Palace in Kokoszyce (Pałac w Kokoszycach) 1823 year

Rydułtowy

• Scales building KWK "Rydułtowy" (coal mine)
• Rail Tunnel
• St. George's Church

Radlin

• Assumption of St. Mary's church

Twin regions

Wodzisław County is twinned with:^[2]

•   Recklinghausen (district), Germany

See also

• Silesia Euroregion

References

1. "Population. Size and structure and vital statistics in Poland by territorial division in 2019. As of 30th June". stat.gov.pl. Statistics Poland. 2019-10-15. Retrieved 2020-02-14.
2. "Partnerzy". powiatwodzislawski.pl (in Polish). Powiat wodzisławski. Retrieved 2020-03-11.