Abstract

Historical windmills, their history and traditions related to the profession of millers, account for a significant element of the cultural heritage of Wielkopolska. Establishment of the Wielkopolska Windmill Trail is correlated to the protection of wooden mills and aims at protecting the memory of an abundant rural history. The several hundred years of traditional milling history is simultaneously a rich source of folktales and legends, as well as, the craftsmanship of carpentry and the development of technique. The Wielkopolska Windmill Trail, as presented herein, shows the new role historical facilities play in modern society. Some mills on the route are actually ruins which clearly show that it is just the beginning of a long and winding road leading to the ultimate objective, i.e. the protection of cultural heritage. It should be noted that at some point in history, Wielkopolska used to be referred to as a "land of mills" and was a milling district in Europe. Industrial tourism evokes an increasing interest. Thus, former windmills contribute to the development of tourist infrastructure, and they make a given region more attractive. Ruins of mills, however, need the tourists' interest to survive and to retain their heritage. The local residents, on the other hand, need the tourists' interest in their region to improve their living standards. Therefore, the Wielkopolska Windmill Trail may turn out to be the key to solving the problem of the deteriorating monuments of the grain processing industry. There is hope for a new life for these mills, whose wings have been worn down mercilessly by time, where they start rotating in the sky again.(original abstract)