Wschowa

Wschowa, known in German as Fraustadt, is a town in western Poland. It is located in Lubusz Voivodeship, Nowa Sól County, and serves as the seat of Gmina Wschowa. The town lies in the historic region of Greater Poland and forms part of the western Polish lowlands.

The town has medieval origins and developed as a local center within the Polish Crown. Over the centuries it came under the rule of various states, including Bohemia (Czech lands), the Habsburg Monarchy, and later Prussia and Germany. After World War II, with border changes to the west, Wschowa became part of Poland again, and its population changed as German residents left and Polish residents settled there. The town preserves a historic urban core that reflects its long history.

A notable episode near Wschowa is the Battle of Fraustadt, fought in 1706 during the Great Northern War. Swedish forces defeated a coalition army, a event that is often cited in the regional history of the area.

Today Wschowa has around 18,000 inhabitants. It functions as an administrative and service center for the surrounding rural areas. The local economy combines services, light industry, and agriculture. The historic center features a market square, churches, and remaining segments of old fortifications, reflecting its long urban history.