Discover Śmigiel: Windmills and the History of Technology

Windmills at the entrance to town

Serwacy and Pankracy are the names of the two historic post mills on a hill at the entrance to Śmigiel from the direction of Poznań. Their names and precise location make them a clearly defined destination for anyone interested in windmills. Śmigiel also holds a special place on the Wielkopolski Windmill Trail. This link to the named trail adds another connection to the history of windmills alongside the mills’ specific location.

Groups who are interested can visit the interiors on weekdays by prior arrangement with a member of staff at the Śmigiel municipal office. Arrange a time before your trip; visits are subject to this agreement and are for groups. This lets you plan your visit to the mills in advance rather than assuming that a visit is possible without prior arrangements.

Church architecture and early Baroque art

The parish church pw. Najświętszej Marii Panny Wniebowziętej offers a different architectural point of interest: its main structure is Gothic, while its tower is neo-Gothic. The church also contains an early Baroque tomb monument to Urszula Brzeźnicka, dating from 1627. The main structure, tower and tomb monument represent different stylistic features and periods, which can be distinguished when looking at the church.

If, when travelling in Poland, you like to take away individual details rather than just an overall impression, the tomb monument provides a specific historical reference. The year 1627 and its association with Urszula Brzeźnicka help identify this part of the church’s furnishings more precisely. Together with the architecture, it creates a distinct focus on cultural history, clearly different from Śmigiel’s technical heritage.

Gasworks and historic railway

The municipal gasworks complex is the only fully preserved gasworks operation in the voivodeship and the region. It was built in 1902 by the Bremen-based company Carl Francke and is regarded as a unique technical site associated with Greater Poland’s rich gas industry traditions. The building brings together a precise construction date, a named builder and a regional connection. Visitors interested in industrial and technological history will find a different perspective here than at the windmills or the church.

The Śmigielska Kolej Dojazdowa, too, is distinguished by its technical heritage. It has preserved almost all of its historic infrastructure. This includes stations, locomotive shed equipment and tracks, as well as vehicles: locomotives, carriages, handcars, coal wagons and forestry wagons. The line passes through Śmigiel. This offers a distinct facet of the town’s history to explore; the preserved infrastructure does not, however, imply that trains are currently in operation.

Cycling route and other buildings

The Śmigielska Pętla Wschodnia adds a 26 km cycling route to the mix. Its specific length can help you plan your own trip, without implying a particular journey time or level of difficulty. The windmill trail and the cycling route are two different points of interest: the former marks Śmigiel’s special place on a named trail, while the latter is a cycling route with a stated length.

Other noteworthy buildings include the old brewery building and a 49-metre-high water tower. These two prominent landmarks broaden the choice, so you need not limit your stay to church or industrial history. When choosing a holiday apartment in Śmigiel, you can first consider whether you would like to focus your trip mainly on the windmills, the architectural heritage or the preserved technical infrastructure. These themes give a concrete impression of what makes Śmigiel a distinctive travel destination.

More destinations

Gorzyczki, Cichowo, Jarogniewice, Racot, Lubiń, Gryżyna, Czempiń and Kościan

For the overarching travel guide: Costs.