Pogórze Bukowskie

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Pogórze Bukowskie

Pogórze Bukowskie, also known as Bukowskie Upland, is a hilly region in southeastern Poland. It is part of the Outer Eastern Carpathians and lies in Sanok County, Podkarpacie. The area sits between the Beskid Niski to the west and the Bieszczady to the east, near the Osława and San rivers. The name comes from the Slavic word for “beech.”

Geography
- Length about 45 km (west to east); width about 15–20 km; area around 720 square kilometers.
- Highest point: Żurawinka, 664 meters.
- The landscape is mostly beech forests. Jaśliski Landscape Park protects part of the region.
- Wildlife includes black storks, deer and wolves.

Towns and people
- Important towns: Bukowsko, Komańcza, Nowotaniec, Zagórz, Wola Sękowa, Wola Piotrowa, Lesko.
- The area hosts Uniwersytet Ludowy (People’s University), opened in 2005, with a focus on folk crafts.
- It is known as one of Poland’s poorer regions.

History
- The region has been debated among Poland, Kievan Rus and Hungary since the 9th century.
- Before 1947, about 45% of residents were Lemkos and Dolinians (Rusyn subgroups), 45% were Pogorzans (Polish uplanders), and about 10% were Jews.
- In 1947, Operation Vistula led to large-scale displacement of these communities.
- The area’s remoteness helped preserve native flora and fauna. It is covered mainly by beech forests and protected by Jaśliski Landscape Park. Animals include black storks, deer and wolves.
- Tourist attractions include historic wooden churches in Wisłok Wielki, Komańcza, Kulaszne, Rzepedź, Szczawne, and ski spots at Karlików and Puławy Górne. The region also hosts the Regional Championship of the Hucul Horse at Rudawka Rymanowska.

Hiking and scenery
- The European long-distance path E8 crosses the Pogórze Bukowskie, with routes from Iwonicz-Zdrój to Rymanów-Zdrój, Puławy, Tokarnia, Kamień (near Komańcza), Dołżyca and Besko, among others.

Rivers
- Wisłok, Sanoczek, Osława and Pielnica flow through the area.

National Exposition of the Simmental Cattle
- Simmental cattle were brought to Poland in the late 18th century. By 1909 there were 21 Simmental farms; in 1920 the Association of Highland Cattle Breeders was founded.
- Breeding was concentrated in eastern Małopolska and in the Sanok region during the interwar period.
- After World War II, the cattle breeding industry faced a crisis, but the population in Poland today is around 40,000.
- The region is known for cattle exhibitions and related events, including the Regional Championship of the Hucul Horse.

Overall, Pogórze Bukowskie is a scenic, forested upland with a rich history, important historic churches, and a strong cultural heritage, set in a rugged and relatively undeveloped part of Poland.