Former Borderland Churches in Southwestern Poland and Their Potential for Tourism

Purpose. The purpose of this article is to assess, on a preliminary basis, the tourist attractiveness of the sacral structures of a relic transborder region along the Kwisa River in the Lowersilesian province of Western Poland.Method. The study methods comprised desk research including a literature review and analysis of historic maps, supported by observation by authors, while the valorisation of churches was carried out by means of the point-based capability evaluation.Findings. The inventory and assessment guidelines for churches as cultural assets for tourism have been presented. As a result, seventeen former borderland churches are analysed in the relic borderscape of the Kwisa Valley in the Lower Silesia. Their general assessment is provided together with a more specific comparative analysis which results in denomination of four classes of tourist attractiveness and proposals for development of a tourist product.Research limitations and conclusions. The research is limited to the case study, and the spatial and historic attributes of the structures concerned. In the future, this theme can be further elaborated together with wider economic and social environments and implications.Practical Implications. The outcomes of the paper can be used by local authorities of the territory under research to consider for future tourism planning purposes.Originality. A case study of the relic borderscape is discussed in this study, resulting in the present religious landscape using the well-acknowledged method of valorisation.Type of paper. This is an article presenting the results of empirical research based on a case study.