Rywala

Rywala is a small village located in the southern part of Poland, within the administrative district of Gmina Koziegłowy, Myszków County, in the Silesian Voivodeship. The settlement lies approximately 6 kilometers north‑west of the Gmina seat Koziegłowy, 15 kilometers west of the county capital Myszków, and about 50 kilometers north‑east of the regional capital Katowice. According to the latest available data from the Central Statistical Office (GUS), Rywala has a population of roughly 320 inhabitants, reflecting a typical demographic pattern for rural communities in the region.

The village’s history traces back to the medieval period when the area was part of the historic lands of Lesser Poland. Throughout the partitions of Poland, Rywala fell under Prussian and later Russian administration, before returning to Polish sovereignty after World War I. The local economy is primarily based on agriculture, with small‑scale crop cultivation and animal husbandry dominating the landscape. In recent years, modest developments in agro‑tourism have attracted visitors interested in the area's tranquil countryside and traditional wooden architecture.

Cultural life in Rywala centers around the parish church of St. John the Baptist, which dates from the late 19th century and serves as a venue for community events and religious celebrations. The village also participates in regional festivals organized by the Gmina, promoting local folklore, crafts, and culinary specialties. Rywala’s modest size and close‑knit community exemplify the characteristics of many small Polish villages in the Silesian region.