An EU-funded project capitalised on the rich history of the southern Opolskie region and enhanced its attractiveness to tourists by preserving its natural and cultural heritage. The project was implemented by the municipality of Prudnik in partnership with municipalities of Branice, Głubczyce, Głuchołazy and Kietrz, and by Głubczyce County. They are all located near to the Opawskie Mountains and the Moravian Gate – a pass between the Carpathian and Sudeten Mountains linking Poland and Czechia.
- 15 April 2022
“This is an exceptional example of how a project should be prepared. This project is comprehensive because it provides a wide range of touristic and functional services and takes care of many social aspects.”
In Prudnik, a shared pedestrian and cycle path was built and the Monkey Grove park and historic town park were revitalised, while sanitary facilities were installed on Kozia Góra hill. In the Głubczyce municipality, the town park was given a new lease on life and two fountains were renovated, while in Głubczyce County, roads were repaired and footpaths built.
In Branice, the house of culture and the surrounding land were redeveloped, infrastructure in a public park was improved and small architectural features were added. Shelters for cyclists were erected in Branice and in the nearby villages of Boboluszki and Włodzienin.
Conservation of monuments
Activities in Głuchołazy involved the purchase and revitalisation of the spa park area and conservation work on the Chapels of the Way of the Cross on Parkowa hill. In Kietrz, the market square and its historic column topped with a statue of the Virgin Mary were restored.
Six facilities were adapted for people with disabilities: the two parks in Prudnik, the sanitary facilities on Kozia Góra, the Branice house of culture, the footpaths in Głubczyce and Kietrz market square.
Widening access to resources
Głubczyce, Nysa and Prudnik counties – the three southern counties of Opolskie bordering Czechia, in which the participating municipalities are all situated – have valuable cultural heritage sites surrounded by beautiful parks and landscapes.
Many of these sites are hard to access due to architectural and infrastructural barriers, so adaptation work is needed. Moreover, the condition of the sites shows that residents are less active in maintaining and developing their area’s cultural heritage than in many other parts of Poland.
By taking local needs into consideration, the partners identified solutions that would improve access to cultural resources and ensure their efficient management. These solutions were implemented to protect the region’s cultural and natural heritage while taking account of social aspects. They thereby contribute to sustainable economic development.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Reducing anthropopressure on biodiversity, cultural and historical heritage – sustainable development of the area of the Opawskie Mountains and the Moravian Gate” is EUR 5 418 511, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 4 312 274 through the “Opolskie Voivodeship” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Protection of the environment and cultural and natural heritage”.