The Lubomirski Family
on the Nile

Poles don't need to go to Egypt to spend a vacation on the Nile River. All they have to do is to visit Kolbuszowa (on the Nil River). Kolbuszowa is located in the Podkarpackie Province among the picturesque hills and forests of the Kolbuszowa Plateau, in the territory of the former Sandomierz Primeval Forest.
The local Ethnographic Park, presenting historic cottage houses, farms, wind and water mills that used to be characteristic features of the old Sandomierz and Rzeszów regions, draws visitors to Kolbuszowa. Those interested in the history of the Polish nobility will be attracted to the region by the old Tyszkiewicz family palace and park in Werynia, which had been owned by the Lubomirski family of Wiśnicz. In 1616, the Lubomirski Family became the owner of Kolbuszowa and made it an administrative center for its Sandomierz property. Later, it became a hub for furniture manufacturing, which today is ranked among the best Polish handwork achievements. The residents of modern Kolbuszowa still nourish the old traditions, and the furniture industry, alongside the food, shoemaking and construction material sectors, is the leading industry in the town.
According to local authorities, the establishment of new construction companies in the town will allow for the creation of 500 new jobs by 2006. This is why investors in the region can expect tax rebates and other allowances. The region has established cooperation with trade chambers in Ukraine, and potential business partners and plots are being earmarked and developed for the construction of new companies. Ninety percent of the municipality is serviced by the gas network, 80% by the water network, and there are 213.3 telephones per 1,000 people. Moreover, Kolbuszowa has a modern sewage treatment plant that was opened in 1998. The plant has a capacity of 3,000 m3 per day and treats sewage from the town of Kolbuszowa, and part of the village of Kolbuszowa Dolna. In the near future, more local villages will be connected to the plant.

 
Environmental protection is among the top priorities of the local authorities in Kolbuszowa. Ecology is strongly promoted there in order to preserve the existence of the region's natural blessings, such as the fact that the municipality is 22% forested, and in order to develop tourism and recreational facilities in the region. Recreational reservoirs, swimming pools, cycling paths, a horse-riding center and tennis courts are to be built in the near future. These attractions may encourage tourists heading towards the Bieszczady Mountains and the south of Europe to stop by, or even to stay for a while in Kolbuszowa. The region offers fresh air, wholesome food, and you can always expect a warm welcome. The hospitability of the local people has been best proved by the fact that Kolbuszowa has cooperated for ten years now with its French partner, the city of Ploermel (in Brittany). As a result of this cooperation, Kolbuszowa is about to establish relations with the German town of Apensen (Ploermel has cooperated with Apensen for 18 years). In addition, the town maintains close relations with Polish Americans who come from Kolbuszowa.
Last, but not least, Kolbusz-owa is generally regarded as a safe town. Unlike in the African Nile, you won't find any crocodiles here, except maybe for the Krokodyl Restaurant.
Anna Zatorska