Kalwaria Zebrzydowska

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Introducing Kalwaria Zebrzydowska

Poland’s second most important pilgrimage site after Jasna Góra in Częstochowa, Kalwaria Zebrzydowska (kahl-vah-ryah zeb-zhi-dof-skah) is set amid hills 35km southwest of Kraków. The town owes its existence and subsequent fame to the squire of Kraków, Mikołaj Zebrzydowski, who commissioned the church and monastery for the Bernardine order in 1600. Having noticed a resemblance in the area to the topography of Jerusalem, he set about creating a place of worship similar to the Via Dolorosa in the Holy City. By 1617, 24 chapels were built over the surrounding hills, some of which looked as though they’d been brought directly from the mother city. As the place attracted growing numbers of pilgrims, more chapels were erected, eventually totalling 42. In 1999 Kalwaria Zebrzydowska was added to Unesco’s list of World Heritage sites.

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There is a tourist office (033 876 6101; www.kalwaria-zebrzydowska.pl; Rynek 19; 8am-5pm Mon-Fri, 8am-1pm Sat) just south of the basilica.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009

Thorn Tree forum discussion

Recent posts

  1. sihi avatar
    RE: Krakow, Prague or Budapest?

    by sihi 26 May 2012

    I love Krakow and recomend it. Amazing magic atmospheare. Do daytrips to Tarnow, Przemysl, Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, Wieliczka...
  2. ig0r avatar
    Re: Weekend travels from Cracow

    by ig0r 12 May 2008

    Apart ftrom Zakopane: 1. Pieniński National Park - lower, but still picturesque mountains, beautiful views of the Tatras. + rafting…
  3. pszeker avatar
    RE: (mostly) eastern europe itinerary

    by pszeker 07 March 2008

    All of these places are worth to see, except Bucharest and Varna. Some towns-like Brasov, Krakow or Dubrovnik are small enough to see…

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