Nowy Tomyśl

Nowy Tomyśl is a town in the Greater Poland Voivodeship, situated on the Szarka River, with a rich history dating back to the 18th century when Olęder settlers, predominantly Protestant Germans, began colonizing the area. The town was granted municipal rights in 1786 by a privilege issued by King Stanisław August Poniatowski. In the 19th century, Nowy Tomyśl gained administrative importance, becoming the seat of the Nowy Tomyśl County. The town is distinguished by its interesting architecture, including a historic town hall from 1879 and the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, originally an Evangelical church built in 1780. Moreover, Nowy Tomyśl is known for its long-standing traditions in hop farming and wickerwork; the first hop plantations were established here in the 19th century, and thanks to Józef Jakub Flatau, hops from Nowy Tomyśl became renowned throughout Prussia. The town grew into an important economic center, with dynamically developing industries, including the production of surgical instruments and furniture. Nowy Tomyśl is also a notable location in terms of sports, offering various sections from football to boules, as well as cultural activities such as the Hop and Wicker Fair and the Museum of Wickerwork and Hop Farming. The town cooperates with partner cities in Poland and abroad, further broadening its horizons and development opportunities. It is also worth mentioning that Nowy Tomyśl is one of the few towns in Poland that for a long time did not have a Catholic church, with all Catholics attending the parish in Wytomyśl. The town is not only a place of rich history and artisanal traditions but also a dynamic center of social and economic life.