Pilgrim's guide
Kalwaria Zebrzydowska - pilgrim's guide
Photos: Pliszka-GP · CC BY-SA 4.0
Kalwaria Zebrzydowska is a Bernardine shrine of the Passion and of Our Lady in the hills near Kraków, with the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels and dozens of chapels scattered across the hillsides. This guide will help you choose when to come, plan your walk along the paths and experience the Passion Mystery play.
Machine-translated guide.
Why go
Kalwaria is a place where prayer goes hand in hand with walking. The Paths of Our Lord and of Our Lady lead through woods, meadows and streams from chapel to chapel, and the landscape itself becomes part of the meditation on the Passion and on the life of Mary.
Since 1999 the shrine has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a Mannerist architectural and landscape complex and pilgrimage park. For many Poles it is also a place close to the heart of John Paul II, who returned here many times.
A short history
Mikołaj Zebrzydowski, Voivode of Kraków, began building in 1601 with the Chapel of the Crucifixion, and on 1 December 1602, by a deed of foundation, he entrusted it to the Bernardine friars together with land for a monastery. The Church of Our Lady of the Angels was consecrated in 1609. Further chapels were built until the middle of the 18th century.
In 1641 the Bernardines received an image of Our Lady which over time became famous for graces received; it was crowned on 15 August 1887. John Paul II visited the shrine on 7 June 1979, granting the church the title of minor basilica, and came again on 19 August 2002 for the 400th anniversary of Kalwaria.
Getting there
Kalwaria Zebrzydowska lies not far from Kraków, on the road towards Wadowice. It makes an easy day trip from Kraków, the natural base for reaching it by train, bus or car.
- by train: from Kraków to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska Lanckorona station or the Kalwaria Zebrzydowska stop; check timetables with the rail operators' journey planners
- by bus: services from Kraków bus station
- by car or coach: the car park in front of the Bernardine monastery is also the starting point for routes along the paths
When to go
The best time for walking the paths is from spring to autumn, on a dry day. The great feasts draw crowds, but that is exactly when Kalwaria reveals its remarkable character.
- Holy Week - the indulgence feast and the Passion Mystery play, from Palm Sunday to Good Friday
- August - the Assumption indulgence feast, several days of celebrations with processions around 15 August
- 2 August - the Portiuncula indulgence feast (Our Lady of the Angels)
- 8 September - the indulgence feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- 3 May and September - indulgence feasts of the Finding and the Exaltation of the Holy Cross; exact dates each year in the shrine's calendar
What to see and experience
- Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels with the miraculous image of Our Lady of Kalwaria
- The Paths of Our Lord - a trail of chapels where successive events of the Passion are meditated upon
- The Paths of Our Lady - a route through her share in her Son's suffering up to the Assumption
- Chapel of the Crucifixion - the oldest church at Kalwaria
- The Passion Mystery play in Holy Week - prayer on the move, led from station to station
- the Faith and Art exhibition at the Heritage and Dialogue Centre
Practical information
- routes: more than forty churches and chapels are spread over about six kilometres of hilly terrain
- guides: groups of 15 or more can book a guide for the history, the Way of the Cross or the full paths; on arrival, report to the Kalwaria Information Centre at the gate
- audio guides: available in several languages at the Heritage and Dialogue Centre, preferably booked in advance
- the shrine's app contains the texts of the devotions and a map of the paths
- drones are prohibited, and photography or filming for other than private purposes requires the monastery's permission
- basilica opening hours, Masses and confession: check the shrine's website
Accommodation and food
The shrine's Pilgrim House is open all year round, with a restaurant and café; rooms can be booked through its website. Because Kraków and Wadowice are so close, many pilgrims come for the day and stay overnight in the city.
Tips from pilgrims
- Wear hiking shoes for the paths - they can be steep, muddy after rain and stony.
- Take water and something to eat; there are few places along the way to restock.
- If you are short of time, choose one section of the paths rather than rushing through all the chapels.
- For the Good Friday Mystery play, arrive very early in the morning and be prepared for many hours on the move and in a crowd.
- On weekdays outside the feasts the paths are quiet - the best time for personal prayer.
On foot and on the trail
The Kalwaria paths are a walking pilgrimage in themselves. Walking the whole of one of the routes with a guide takes about five hours, and the Way of the Cross from Pilate's Town Hall about two. Walking groups from local parishes also come to Kalwaria, especially for the indulgence feasts, for example the Maków Pilgrimage for the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to walk the Kalwaria paths?
Walking the Paths of Our Lord or of Our Lady with a guide takes about five hours. The shorter Way of the Cross from Pilate's Town Hall takes about two hours.
When is the Passion Mystery play at Kalwaria Zebrzydowska?
In Holy Week: from Palm Sunday, through Spy Wednesday and Maundy Thursday, to Good Friday with the trial before Pilate and the Way of the Cross.
How do I get to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska from Kraków?
By train to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska Lanckorona station or the Kalwaria Zebrzydowska stop, by bus from Kraków or by car in the direction of Wadowice.
Is Kalwaria Zebrzydowska a UNESCO site?
Yes, since 1 December 1999, as a Mannerist architectural and landscape complex and pilgrimage park.
Can I book a guide?
Yes. Groups of 15 or more book a guide by phone or e-mail, with notice depending on the language and the route. Audio guides are available for individual visitors.
