Szczyrk

Szczyrk
Szczyrk as seen from Skrzyczne mountain's slope

Coat of arms

Szczyrk within the Bielsko County
Szczyrk
Szczyrk within the Bielsko County
Coordinates: 49°42′58″N 19°1′37″E / 49.71611°N 19.02694°E / 49.71611; 19.02694
Country  Poland
Voivodeship Silesian
County Bielsko
Gmina Szczyrk (urban gmina)
City rights 1st January 1973
Government
 • Mayor Antoni Byrdy
Area
 • Total 39.07 km2 (15.09 sq mi)
Highest elevation 600 m (2,000 ft)
Lowest elevation 500 m (1,600 ft)
Population (2006)
 • Total 5,860
 • Density 150/km2 (390/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code 43-370
Car plates SBI
Website http://www.szczyrk.pl

Szczyrk [ʂt͡ʂɨrk] (German: Schirk) is a town in the Beskid Śląski mountains of southern Poland, situated in the valley of the Żylica river. It is part of the Silesian Voivodeship (since 1999), previously being part of the Bielsko-Biała Voivodeship (1975–1998). It has a population of 5,810 people (2004).

The town is a popular winter sports centre, with over 60 km of ski runs served by 30 ski lifts. The principal training centre for Poland's Winter Olympic athletes is based in the town, where they train for events such as skiing, ski jumping and ice skating.

The two mountain ranges that surround the valley are dominated by the peaks of Skrzyczne at 1,257 metres (4,124 feet) and Klimczok 1,117 metres (3,665 feet), both of significant interest to tourists. There are commanding views from either peak. Moreover, either peak is accessible to most people, in one day's hike, via the tourist routes marked on any tourist map available in most kiosks or mountain shelters. The routes are mostly accessible for the able-bodied, Skrzyczne being accessible via chair-lift.

Szczyrk shares a common border with Wisła, a town where the source of the Vistula (Wisła) river can be found (around the Barania Góra mountain).

Panorama of Southern Poland

Twin towns — sister cities

Szczyrk is twinned with:

Ski jumping hill

Coordinates: 49°42′58″N 19°1′37″E / 49.71611°N 19.02694°E / 49.71611; 19.02694


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