Summary:

The Opawskie Mountains are the most eastward part of the Polish Sudetes. They can serve as an example of a region that has been undergoing significant changes in respect of tourism development for the last 15 years. The beginnings of tourism in this region date back to the end of the 18^th century, whereas its dynamic development is related mainly to establishment of a health resort in Głuchołazy (Bad Zigenhals) and popularisation of the summer-resort localities of Jarnołtówek Barbara Woś 104 and Pokrzywna at the turn of the 19^th and 20^th century, when the Biskupia Kopa region was recognised as one of the most attractive areas in Silesia. The Second World War inhibited tourism development of the region. Dynamic tourism development did not occur until the seventies of the 20^th century; at that time, several resort facilities were constructed in the Biskupia Kopa region. Further changes were triggered in the nineties of the 20^th century – the period of privatisation of resort facilities and development of agritourism. The changes in tourism development were related to numerous problems encountered on at the meeting point of economy, tourism and environment protection. In case of the Opawskie Mountains region, some problems were resolved largely owing to commitment of local community and active transborder cooperation.