Biecz

Biecz is a village at the eastern edge of Małopolskie Province, 125 km east of Kraków (and not to be confused with Biecz near the German border). Like Kraków, its heyday was in medieval times, but it declined as the powerbase moved to Warsaw then Poland fell under foreign occupation. But several medieval buildings and parts of the old town walls have survived and are the main reason to visit.

The village is in the valley of the River Ropa, which flows out of the mountains on the border with Slovakia then down through Gorlice. It flows northeast across Małopolskie forming a natural transport route, and on into Podkarpackie Province eventually to join the Vistula. Biecz straggles along the historic route near the provincial boundary, with the modern highway 28 bypassing it on the other side of the valley.

By bus
You need your own car, as public transport is sparse. Buses run every hour or so from Gorlice, but getting there depends upon an occasional bus from Nowy Sącz. There is a direct bus service from Kraków's MDA Bus Station, stopping in Biecz on its way to the nearby town of Jasło. The drive from Krakow takes 2 hours and 40 minutes and cost between 24 and 37 zł, depending on the company.

By train
The has a few regional connections, mostly to Nowy Sącz and Jasło. There are also a few connections to Kraków.

Get around
Walk, though the village straggles for 1-2 km.

See

 * The original village centres on the market place (Rynek).









Do

 * Hike in the hills

Eat

 * Also in the marketplace are a Doner King kebab shop, a coffee shop and an ice-cream shop.
 * Also in the marketplace are a Doner King kebab shop, a coffee shop and an ice-cream shop.
 * Also in the marketplace are a Doner King kebab shop, a coffee shop and an ice-cream shop.

Go next

 * Podkarpackie Province starts 5 km east of Biecz, further down the Ropa valley. Approaching the first town of Jasło, turn up the hill to the skansen (outdoor museum) of Trzcinica.