Discover Wschowski: Architectural History and Landscapes

A Gothic hall in the town hall, Baroque townhouses and stone-and-brick town walls give Wschowa a rich historical character. Wschowski County encompasses the Leszno Lakeland, the Leszno Plateau and the Głogów Urstrom Valley. In addition to the town’s history, there are also scenic destinations to choose from in the municipality and nearby. You can tailor your stay to focus on Wschowa’s historic buildings, the landscape or both.

An overview of Wschowa’s architectural history

The town hall preserves a Gothic hall with a net vault dating from the first half of the 16th century. The western row of buildings on the market square includes several 17th-century Baroque townhouses, which were fitted out as a royal residence during the Saxon period. The town walls are also part of the town’s historic character: they were built of stone and brick. Construction of the complete fortifications began under Casimir the Great; they were completed in the 15th century.

These dates place the landmarks in their historical context: the fortifications were completed in the 15th century, the town hall’s hall dates from the first half of the 16th century, and the townhouses from the 17th century. The religious buildings add further construction phases. The parish church of St. Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr, and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was rebuilt from 1720 to 1726 to a design by Pompeo Ferrari. The Church of the Holy Trinity in Wschowa was built from 1837 to 1839 to a design by Karl Friedrich Schinkel.

The Jesuit college also forms part of the town’s history: it opened in 1727 on the site of the former municipal mint. The buildings’ varied histories make it possible to plan a visit around specific interests, whether fortifications, townhouses, churches or other landmarks in the town’s history.

Town history and collections

The Muzeum Ziemi Wschowskiej has archaeological, ethnographic, historical and art-history collections, with a particular focus on the history of the royal town of Wschowa. Another link to the town’s history can be found at the 18th-century town fountain, which contains a copy of a sculpture of a woman in armour. The original is held at the Muzeum Ziemi Wschowskiej. This makes it easy to distinguish the copy in the townscape from the original in the museum.

The water tower at the edge of Wolsztyński Park is another landmark that can help you find your way around town. It dates from the early 20th century, providing a distinctly more recent point of reference alongside the older buildings. The town hall, town walls, churches, college and tower represent different chapters of the town’s history rather than just one period.

Landscape and Lake Lgińsko

A 2,894-hectare section of Przemęcki Landscape Park lies within Wschowa Municipality. Lake Lgińsko is located near the town, about 10 km from Wschowa. At 68.6 hectares, it is the largest of the three lakes in Wschowa Municipality. The figures refer to different things: 68.6 hectares is the size of the lake, while 2,894 hectares refers to the section of the park within the municipality.

A picturesque beach on Lake Lgińsko is a popular place to relax. It offers a specific place to unwind alongside Wschowa’s historic buildings. If you’d like to include both the town’s history and time in the landscape in your trip, the lake is a destination nearby.

Plan a tour and cycling route

The tourist information office recommends the 140-minute “Królewskie Miasto Wschowa” route. Another option is the signposted Wschowa–Lgiń–Sława cycle route: it starts at Wolsztyński Park in Wschowa and is 39.3 kilometres long. Check the route details locally before setting off. The two descriptions answer different planning questions: one gives a duration, while the other specifies a distance and identifies the route as a cycling route.

Guided tours of the Lapidarium Rzeźby Nagrobnej are available for organised groups by prior telephone or online reservation. If you’re planning a group visit, check the reservation process with the museum in advance, as arrangements may change.

Discover more destinations: Tarnów Jezierny, Slawa, Wschowa, Lubiatów, Radzyń, Żary County, Zielona Góra County, Międzyrzecz County.

Back to the regional travel overview: Lubusz.