On one hand contemporary times provide extensive possibilities and are open to the world, and at the same time generate many threats and challenges. What is the task of people living in difficult times, among unusual challenges, in a beautiful nut not completely tamed land?

What objective should they pursue? What possiblities should they try to use?
With regard to exceptional natural values of this land, its flawless character, at the same time being aware of its situation on a major route connecting three different nations and cultures, we can see the necessity of preservation of the most precious things.

On one hand - flawless land, clean waters, rich and unique nature, on the other hand - cultural heritage of inhabitants whose lives were full of historical tribulations.

In the age when live becomes dependent on technology, economic activity is subordinated to the maximum profit criteria, and life is general becomes nondescript, I believe that all initiatives aiming at preservation of things crucial to man: health, cultural identity and awarenes of one's own value, are valuable. Generations coming into life must take over something they can build their future on, not only in terms of economy. Young inhabitants of our district are our hope and potential that allows us to be optimistic about the future.

It is not possible to succeed without cooperation of all inhabitants. Their good will, persistence and good ideas form the basis for succes.

Thus, we wish ourselves successful implementation of our plans, lots of luck to inhabitants of our district, and to all visitors to our district - satisfaction with the place, interesting impressions, and pleasurable contact with pure nature as well as rich culture.

Komańcza District Administrator
mgr inż. Stanisław Bielawka

The District of Komańcza is situated in the southern park of Podkarpackie province; it extends over the upper and central part of the Osława river basin, constituting a transitory zone between Low Beskid Mountains and the Bieszczady Mountains. The Osława river basign is regarded as the boundary between these geographical regions.

The district territory covers 45 518 ha (which ranks it as the third biggest district in Poland).

The seat of the district authorities is Komańcza. Komańcza, in accordance with the resolution of the District Council No.IV/22/90, is an ecological district and belongs to the Association of Healthy Polish Town and Cities, and since 12.04.1974 the village of Komańcza has had the status of a spa. The territory of Komańcza has rich mineral water resources; the curative materials are hydrogen - carbon - sodium - sulphide waters.

The District of Komańcza has favourable conditions for development of tourism, since it is situated in a little industrialized and urbanized region. As early as in the interwar period, Komańcza started to develop as a summer resort, which is evidenced by wooden guest-houses of which only two have been preserved: the Monastery of Nuns of the order of the Holy Family of Nazareth, and a hostel of the Polish Tourist Country-Lovers' Association (PTTK).
An additional advantage is that the District of Komańcza forms part of the Łemk culture ethnografic region. It impinges directly on the rich sacral and lay architecture of that region, peculiar cultural identity manifested in the history of the region, traditions, customs, legends and names of villages.

The border contacts of the inhabitants and self-governing authorities of the District of Komańcza with people and authorities of the District of Medzilaborce in Slovakia on one hand are said to have been traditional for ages, whereas on the other hand - they have been particulary increased along with opening of the new railway border crossing in Łupków and a pedestrian border crossing in Radoszyce in mid 1990s. These activities were concluded in signature of a Partnership Agreement with the Town of Medzilaborce in 2000 that commenced wide cooperation with regard to culture, tourism, sport, as well as mutual meetings of the inhabitants and creation of specific projects favourable to our district and to the town Medzilaborce. The motto of the Partnership Agreement is: "Life in peace, unity and friendship connecting the Nations of Europe".

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