Pilgrim's guide
Gietrzwałd - pilgrim's guide
Photos: Laima Gūtmane (simka… · CC BY-SA 3.0
Gietrzwałd is a village in Warmia where, in 1877, Mary is said to have spoken to two girls in Polish and asked for the daily Rosary. These are the only apparitions in Poland recognised by the Church. This guide is for anyone planning to come here alone, with family or with a parish group.
Machine-translated guide.
Why go
Gietrzwałd is a simple and very concrete place: there is a chapel where the maple tree once grew, a spring, an avenue of Rosary shrines and a basilica with the image of Our Lady. The whole message can be summed up in a single request for daily Rosary prayer, so it is easy to come here without special preparation and simply pray.
It is also a place of importance for the history of Warmia. The apparitions took place during the Kulturkampf, when the Polish language and the Catholic faith were on the defensive here, and according to the accounts Mary spoke to the children in the local dialect. For many pilgrims this adds extra weight to the visit.
A short history
The Gothic church in Gietrzwałd was consecrated around 1500. From 27 June to 16 September 1877, thirteen-year-old Justyna Szafryńska and twelve-year-old Barbara Samulowska reported encounters with Mary, who appeared to them in a maple tree beside the church. She asked for the Rosary to be prayed daily, and on 8 September she is said to have blessed a nearby spring. As news of the apparitions spread, great crowds flocked to the village from all over the Polish lands.
After the apparitions the church was extended in the Neo-Gothic style in 1878-1884. In 1967, for the 90th anniversary of the events, the miraculous image of Our Lady was crowned, and in 1970 Pope Paul VI granted the church the title of minor basilica. The Bishop of Warmia, Józef Drzazga, approved the cult of the apparitions by a decree of 11 September 1977, on the centenary. Since 1945 the shrine has been in the care of the Canons Regular of the Lateran. 2027 marks the 150th anniversary of the apparitions, and the Archdiocese of Warmia is preparing a jubilee year.
Getting there
Gietrzwałd lies about 20 km south-west of Olsztyn, on national road 16 towards Ostróda. The most convenient way to get here is by car or coach; without a car, travel via Olsztyn and continue by regional transport.
- by car and coach: on national road 16 from Olsztyn or Ostróda; during large celebrations the car parks fill up quickly
- by train: to Olsztyn, then by bus or minibus; the municipality publishes current connections in its public transport section
- on foot from Olsztyn: some groups come on walking pilgrimages, especially in September
When to come
The shrine is alive all year round, but its rhythm is set by the dates of the apparitions. Those seeking quiet will choose a weekday out of season. Those who want to experience a great gathering will come for the September feast.
- 27 June - anniversary of the start of the apparitions
- 8 September - feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and anniversary of the blessing of the spring
- second Sunday of September - the main patronal feast and the archdiocesan harvest festival, on the meadows by the shrine
- the 27th of each month - the Gietrzwałd novena is prayed in the parishes of the archdiocese
- from 27 June 2027 to June 2028 - jubilee of the 150th anniversary of the apparitions; check the detailed programme with the Archdiocese of Warmia
What to see and experience
- the Chapel of the Apparitions on the site of the maple tree, where many pilgrims begin their visit
- the Rosary Avenue with shrines of the mysteries, leading to the spring
- the Blessed Spring, from which pilgrims draw water
- the Basilica of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary with the crowned image of Our Lady of Gietrzwałd
- the Gietrzwałd Calvary - Stations of the Passion to meditate along the way
- the Warmian Landscape Road - a historic tree-lined avenue between Gietrzwałd and Woryty, protected as a cultural park
Practical information
- dress: modest, with covered shoulders in the basilica; on the meadows in the rain a raincoat is more useful than an umbrella
- water from the spring: bring your own bottle or container
- accessibility: the grounds are flat, but the historic basilica has limitations for wheelchair users; it is best to ask the parish before you come
- parking: sufficient on ordinary days, but there may not be enough during major feasts, so arrive early
- times of Masses, confessions and services: check the current shrine website or with the parish, as they change seasonally
Accommodation and food
The archdiocese runs pilgrim houses at the shrine and is expanding its facilities, but there are fewer places than visitors, especially in September. Book well in advance. In the area there are also farm stays by the lakes, and a wider choice of accommodation and food is available in Olsztyn and Ostróda.
Tips from pilgrims
- For the September feast, arrive in the morning; later it is hard to find a parking space and a good spot on the meadows.
- Allow time to walk slowly along the avenue from the chapel to the spring, praying the mysteries of the Rosary on the way.
- There may be a queue at the spring; a small bottle is enough to take water home for your loved ones.
- Outside the big celebrations Gietrzwałd is surprisingly quiet, good for recollection and confession.
- It is worth combining the visit with Olsztyn and the nearby churches of Warmia, as distances are short.
On foot and on the trail
On site everything is within a short walk: the chapel, the avenue, the spring and the basilica. The municipality has marked walking and cycling trails among the forests and lakes of the area, and the Warmian Landscape Road itself is a pleasant short route under old trees. Groups from Olsztyn and more distant parishes also come here on walking pilgrimages.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Gietrzwałd apparitions recognised by the Church?
Yes. The Bishop of Warmia, Józef Drzazga, approved the cult of the apparitions in 1977. They are the only Marian apparitions in Poland officially recognised by the Church.
What was Mary's message at Gietrzwałd?
The most important request was for the Rosary to be prayed daily. According to the accounts, Mary spoke Polish, in the Warmian dialect, at a time when Polish identity and the Church in Warmia were being persecuted.
When is the main feast at Gietrzwałd?
The largest celebrations take place in September, usually on the second Sunday of the month, in connection with 8 September and the anniversary of the blessing of the spring. The shrine and the Archdiocese of Warmia publish the detailed programme.
Can I take water from the spring?
Yes, pilgrims draw water from the Blessed Spring. It is a good idea to bring your own bottle.
How do I get to Gietrzwałd without a car?
The simplest way is by train or bus to Olsztyn, then by regional transport about 20 km along the road towards Ostróda. The municipality of Gietrzwałd publishes current timetables.
Nearby
Co-Cathedral Basilica of Saint James the Apostle, OlsztynOlsztyn, PL
Collegiate Basilica of the Holy Saviour and All Saints, Dobre MiastoDobre Miasto, PL
Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, LubawaLubawa, PL
Basilica of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Stoczek KlasztornyStoczek Klasztorny, PL