Szamotuły

Szamotuły is a town in Greater Poland located along the Sama River, with the collegiate church dating to the 15th century as its main religious landmark. The Górkas Castle in the northern section houses a museum with significant icon collections and defensive structures from earlier centuries.

First mentioned in 1231, the town received trading rights in 1284 and achieved municipal status before 1383 under Polish rule. These early developments established it as a regional center for commerce and governance.

The town became a refuge for Czech Brethren communities during the Renaissance and their presence shaped local religious life for centuries. Today, the older streets reflect this heritage through their building styles and the role of the church as a gathering place.

The town center is compact, making it easy to visit the church and castle museum on foot within a few hours. Good signage and local maps help visitors navigate between these main points of interest.

The castle museum holds one of Poland's most extensive collections of icons, an unexpected treasure for a town this size. The Black Duchess Tower within the castle carries a tale connected to the historical figure Elżbieta Ostrogska.