ywiec

Żywiec is a town in southern Poland. It is the administrative seat of Żywiec County in the Silesian Voivodeship and lies in the Żywiec Basin at the foothills of the Beskid Żywiecki mountains along the Soła River. The town is part of the historic region of Małopolska and serves as an economic and cultural center for the surrounding area.

History: The settlement in Żywiec dates back to the Middle Ages, with the town receiving its charter in the late 14th or early 15th century. Through the centuries it developed as a market town and local center for crafts and trade, and it has been part of various state entities reflecting the region’s shifting borders.

Economy and culture: Żywiec is best known for the Żywiec Brewery, established in 1856, which became a major Polish beer producer and later part of the Heineken group. The area supports tourism and services, benefitting from access to the Beskid mountains and protected areas such as the Żywiec Landscape Park. The Zalew Żywiecki reservoir on the Soła provides recreational opportunities.

Geography and transportation: The town lies at the entrance to the Beskid Żywiecki and is connected by rail and road to regional centers. It serves as a gateway for outdoor activities in the surrounding mountains and valleys.