Wielichowo

Wielichowo, a town in the Greater Poland Voivodeship, had a population of 1,753 according to 2021 data. Situated on the border of the Grodzisk Upland and the Middle Obra Valley mesoregions, it boasts a rich history dating back to the late 13th century, when it was mentioned as Vielychowo. The town went through various administrative stages, from a church village to an urban settlement, and was granted Magdeburg rights in 1429 by King Władysław Jagiełło. In the 15th century, townspeople received trade privileges, and Wielichowo became an agricultural and craft center. Notable landmarks include the 18th-century Parish Church of St. Mary Magdalene, a wooden cemetery church from 1793, and a palace from the early 19th century with a landscape park. In the 19th century, the town developed architecturally and demographically, and during the Second Partition of Poland, it fell under Prussian rule. An interesting fact is that 249 residents participated in the Greater Poland Uprising in 1919. Today, Wielichowo is home to a natural gas mine. The town also has a sporting tradition, associated with renowned athletes such as Zdzisław Krzyszkowiak and Marian Dudziak, as well as basketball player Kinga Banach.