Wadowice

Wadowice vädōvēˈtsĕ [key], town (1993 est. pop. 19,600), Bielsko-Biała prov., S Poland, on Skawa River, 23 mi (37 km) WSW of Kraków. Located in a region of rolling hills, Wadowice is a railroad junction; its industries include cement-products, wire, and footwear manufacturing and food processing. In World War II, under German rule, Wadowice was called Frauenstadt. Pope John Paul II was born there, and the town has become a Catholic pilgrimmage site.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

See more Encyclopedia articles on: Polish Political Geography