Anyone interested in historic buildings and technological heritage will find several clearly distinct themes in Śmigiel. The most striking are Serwacy and Pankracy: the two historic post mills stand together on a hill at the entrance to the town from the direction of Poznań. Śmigiel also occupies a special place on the Wielkopolska Windmill Trail. Mills therefore shape not just a single sightseeing spot, but also the town’s thematic character.

Windmills and planning your visit

The interiors of the windmills can be visited by interested groups on weekdays, by prior arrangement with a member of staff at the Śmigiel Town Office. If you plan to visit, you should arrange this in advance.

Church and gasworks: distinct historical highlights

The parish church pw. Najświętszej Marii Panny Wniebowziętej brings together different architectural and artistic influences. The main structure is Gothic, while the tower is Neo-Gothic. Inside, it preserves the early Baroque tomb of Urszula Brzeźnicka, dating from 1627. The tomb draws attention to a specific historical object, while the architectural classification is evident in the main structure and tower. This combination makes the church an interesting place to explore in a different way from the technical sites.

The focus shifts from religious architecture to the history of technology at the municipal gasworks complex. The complex was built in 1902 by the Bremen-based company Carl Francke. As the only fully preserved gasworks in the voivodeship and the region, it is a unique technical site; it is also connected with the rich traditions of gas production in Greater Poland. As a preserved facility, the complex draws attention to gasworks operations as a whole; its connection to Greater Poland adds a regional dimension to the local perspective.

Technical heritage, buildings and a cycling route

The history of technology is also reflected in the Śmigielska Kolej Dojazdowa, whose route runs through Śmigiel. Almost all of its historic infrastructure has been preserved. This includes stations, locomotive-shed equipment and tracks, as well as various vehicles: locomotives, carriages, rail trolleys, coal wagons and logging wagons. The collection therefore ranges from fixed facilities to a variety of vehicle types. Anyone with an interest in railway and industrial history will find a different way to explore technical heritage here than at the gasworks complex: the surviving elements include both infrastructure and vehicles.

Other noteworthy buildings in Śmigiel include the old brewery building and a 49-metre-high water tower.

One cycling option is the Śmigielska Pętla Wschodnia, a 26 km cycling route. The route’s length gives you a specific point of reference when planning your stay. It offers a different focus from churches, mills and technical sites and can be included as a standalone cycling activity among your options.

Discover more destinations: Czempiń, Jarogniewice, Cichowo, Gryżyna, Kościan, Racot, Gorzyczki, Lubiń.

For the overview of destinations: Koszuty.