| Cognacs | |
| Arms | |
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| Information | |
| Country | Poland |
| Region | Silesian Voivodeship |
| Surface | 1469 km² |
| Height | 760 m above sea level |
| Population | 3643 |
| Area code | 48 33 |
| Postal Code | 43-474 |
| website | |
Cognacs - a picturesque town in Beskid Śląski, mainly known as a lace-making center.
Information
Koniaków is a village of the village of Poland, in Silesian Voivodeship, in Cieszyn poviat, in the commune of Istebna.
In the years 1975-1998 the village was located in the then Bielsko Province.
It is the highest village (at an altitude of 760 m above sea level) of Beskid Śląski, lies southwest of Żywiec and south of Vistula within historical limits Cieszyn Silesia.
Has 3,643 inhabitants.
The area of Koniaków is 1,469 ha, which is 18% of the total area of the Istebna commune, amounting to 8,425 ha.
Snow covers 100-130 days a year, usually from the beginning of November to the beginning of April, and its thickness is 60-100 cm.
The southern, gusty winds of the fen-type, causing sudden pressure surges and sudden changes in weather, are of great importance for shaping the weather.
Koniaków together with Jaworzynka and Istebna creates the so-called The Beskidzka Trójwieś.
History
The year 1712 is considered the beginning of the village. It was then that the first 6 permanent cottages were built in the area of today's Koniaków. In the next 6 years, 9 more joined them. The first settlers dealt only with cattle grazing and often came into conflict with forest supervisors. When the local defenses of not cutting down dense forests became less important, conflicts stopped. An independent community was established in 1816, and its name was chosen Cognacs, the settlers from Koniaków near Cieszyn. A horse was placed in the coat of arms.
In July 1920, by the decision of the Council of Ambassadors, the town became part of Poland (the Second Polish Republic).
In the interwar period, skiing began here. In 1923, the first competition was held, in which 46 girls and boys participated.
In the years 1945 - 1954 (the year of the demolition), the Krężelka Border Guard Watchtower was stationed here.
Lace making
- Koniaków is known primarily for its production lace ornaments and garments (recently also underwear).
- Koniaków, famous for the production of regional lace, also attracts other attractions. In Chata na Szańach (Koniaków 662, www.chatanaszancach.rm.interia.pl, tel. 33 8557070) we will see paintings, sculptures, instruments, and lace. Here you can admire the oldest lace, about 140 years old, and buy modern products such as blouses, dresses, napkins, etc. In the "Kopyrtołka" inn, every visitor has the opportunity to taste delicious regional cuisine, for example, pancakes with spryrki or to throw In the evening at Chata na Szańach, you can listen to Tadeusz Rucki, the artist and owner of this place, playing the thrombit - the brave ones can try their hand at playing shepherd's instruments.
- Another attraction is the B Lace Museum, i.e. the Regional Chamber of Maria Gwarek (Koniaków 550, tel. 33 8556423, visit after prior telephone contact). In the Lace Museum you can, among others see the unfinished work of Maria Gwarek - a tablecloth for the English Queen Elizabeth - unfortunately the work was interrupted by the artist's death. There are also numerous caps, ornaments, tablecloths and parts of women's clothing.
- It is also worth seeing the Creative Chamber of the Kamieniarz-Kubaszczyk family (Koniaków 301, tel. 33 8556561), where napkins, tablecloths, gloves, blouses and skirts made by Mrs. Helena, as well as sculptures and reliefs as well as ritual art by her husband Mieczysław are presented. In Koniaków there is also the studio of Elżbieta Waszut (Koniaków 812, tel. 33 8556514, visit after prior telephone arrangement), a seamstress who sews and embroiders highlander costumes. Mrs.Elżbieta specializes in the renovation and sewing of men's garments: leggings, brucliks and guns, as well as sewing men's shirts and women's cabots, and using a special device, she makes the so-called noducker.
- Lace, highlander huts, museums, that's not all. Koniaków is famous for one more, until recently forgotten thing, namely sheep grazing.
This tradition has returned to this area and is now enjoying great popularity. And it is the traditional grazing and original oscypek cheese as well as many other products made of sheep's milk that attract crowds of tourists here. In the summer season, be sure to visit Piotr Kohut's shepherd's hut, where we will try real sheep's cheese. In Kolyba "Na Szańach", where Piotr Kohut offers the opportunity to participate in a sheep cheese production workshop combined with a lecture on traditional pastoralism.
At the Regional Product Center, we will also learn about pastoralism, ie sheep grazing and cheese production; phone: 609 024 633.
Worth seeing
Church of Saint Bartholomew
Thanks to the help of donors, incl. Archduke Albrecht, Emperor Franz Joseph I and many others, the construction of the church was completed after many years in 1899. The church was consecrated on September 2, 1901, right after the interior was arranged by Alojzy Menschik from Frydek. For a long time, the faithful could attend mass in Koniaków only every third Sunday, while on the other days they had to go to Istebna.
Tourism
The following bicycle routes pass through the town:
- red bicycle trail - Main Carpathian Bicycle Trail (621 km)
- green bicycle route - green bicycle route no.253 - Istebna - Jaworzynka - Koniaków (28 km)
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