Małaszewicze: Railway and Aviation History
Accommodation in Małaszewicze
Małaszewicze is defined by two prominent themes: rail freight transport and the history of a pre-war air force base. There is also a brick parish church with contemporary design. Transport and architectural history thus meet here. If you are looking for a destination whose character can be traced through specific technical and historical landmarks, Małaszewicze offers a clear focus. This can help guide your choice of holiday rental: railways, aviation and local history shape the town’s character.
Railways, a freight hub and location
Małaszewicze lies on the E-20 railway corridor, which connects Europe and Asia. Here, freight is transferred from broad-gauge to standard-gauge rolling stock. The change between two track gauges makes freight transport a tangible part of the town’s identity. Małaszewicze is also home to an internationally significant PKP “dry” transshipment hub, described as one of the largest in Europe. This offers two distinct perspectives: the technical process of transshipment and the hub’s stated importance in international transport.
The road information also helps to put the location into context: Małaszewicze lies one kilometre south of National Road 2, designated as European route E-30. Here, E-20 refers to the railway corridor, while E-30 refers to the designated road link. Together, these details outline the transport profile without confusing the rail and road connections. Those who give particular importance to railway and transport history when choosing a place to stay will find a matching thematic focus in Małaszewicze.
The pre-war airfield
Construction of the air force base began in 1936 on the initiative of the Ministry of Military Affairs. The airfield officially began operating in spring 1939. By the summer of that year, 14 hangars, a compacted-clay runway, auxiliary facilities, barracks, administrative buildings, garages, warehouses, railway sidings and a shooting range had been built. The sequence from construction to opening and subsequent expansion makes it possible to follow how the site developed over just a few years.
Before the outbreak of the Second World War, Małaszewicze was home to heavy PZL-37 “Łoś” bombers, medium LWS4 “Żubr” bombers, “Focker” FVII transport aircraft and other planes. The PZL-37s belonged to the XX Bomber Wing, the 7th Training Squadron and the Aviation Supply Office. The airfield continues to hold an important place in local and national history of the first half of the 20th century. This offers a different perspective for exploring the town than rail freight transport: here, the focus is on military aviation history.
Church and architectural history
Another historical landmark is the brick parish church in Małaszewicze. It was built from 1987 to 1991 at the initiative of Father Jan Grochowski and designed in a contemporary style. On 5 May 1991, Bishop Jan Mazur, the Ordinary of the Diocese of Siedlce, consecrated the church. The dates distinguish the construction period from the consecration and give the town’s history a much later time frame than the airfield’s pre-war history. Małaszewicze is thus home to both 20th-century aviation history and a more recent chapter in church history.
The Kolejowe Muzeum Edukacyjne is also located nearby, on Warszawska Street in Małaszewicze Duże. Visitors are asked to contact the owners by telephone before visiting. The museum adds another railway-related point of interest. If you are considering a holiday rental in Małaszewicze, you can decide whether you are most interested in long-distance rail transport, the local airfield’s history, or architectural and church history.
Discover more destinations
Solinki, Woskrzenice Małe, Gnojno, Mokrany Nowe, Kukuryki, Małaszewicze Duże, Czosnówka, Slawatycze
For the overview of the wider area: Bialski.
