Sucha Beskidzka

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Sucha Beskidzka is a town in southern Poland, in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship, on the Skawa river. It is the seat of Sucha County and sits in a basin between the Beskids mountains. The town covers about 27.5 square kilometers and had around 9,700 residents in 2006. About 44% of the area is forested, making it a green place to live and visit. It is also a railway hub, with lines connecting Skawina–Żywiec and Sucha Beskidzka–Chabówka; the station and a roundhouse were built in the 1880s.

The settlement began in 1405 when a village named Sucha was founded. In 1961 the name was extended to Sucha Beskidzka to reflect its location in the Beskid mountains. Over the centuries it grew as a private town under noble families, and in the early 17th century Kasper Suski built and expanded the castle that became central to the town. Sucha developed as a local trade and craft center, with privileges that helped its growth.

In the late 18th century the town became part of the Austrian province of Galicia after the partitions of Poland. It received town rights in 1896. The Branicki and Tarnowski families were among later owners, and a library and museum were established in the castle. The area already had ironworks and other industry, and the railway connection boosted its importance.

During World War II, Sucha Beskidzka was occupied by Germany. Many Jewish residents were killed or sent to concentration camps, and Polish inhabitants faced persecution. After the war, the town remained in Poland and experienced various administrative changes.

Today Sucha Beskidzka is a tourist gateway to the Beskidy Mountains. Sights include a Renaissance castle known as Little Wawel (now a hotel), a 17th-century parish church with a cloister, and an 18th-century wooden inn named Rzym. The town also hosts two higher education institutions and serves hikers starting many mountain trails.