Pilgrim's guide
Licheń - pilgrim's guide
Photos: Czechu81 · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Shrine of Our Lady of Licheń, Sorrowful Queen of Poland, in Licheń Stary, on Lake Licheń in eastern Greater Poland, is the country's second most important place of pilgrimage after Jasna Góra. This guide suggests how to plan your day in the vast shrine and how to get there without a car.
Machine-translated guide.
Why go
Licheń surprises with its scale. The largest church in Poland, a Golgotha built of stones, the quiet Grąblin Forest and the old Church of St Dorothy create a space where you can spend a whole day: from Mass in the basilica, through the Way of the Cross, to a moment of silence at the place of the apparitions.
At the origins of this place are a small image of Our Lady and the story of simple people in the 19th century. Many pilgrims say that it is precisely this contrast, between the huge church and the modest image, that stays with them most.
A short history
Tradition links the image with Tomasz Kłossowski, who according to the account had a vision during the Battle of Leipzig in 1813, later found a similar image and in 1844 hung it on a pine tree in the Grąblin Forest. In 1850-1852 the shepherd Mikołaj Sikatka spoke of apparitions of Mary at this spot. During a cholera epidemic in 1852 the image was moved to Licheń.
Since 1949 the shrine has been in the care of the Marian Fathers. On 15 August 1967 Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński crowned the image. The basilica was built between 1994 and 2004; John Paul II visited the shrine in 1999, and in 2006 the image was moved to the new church.
Getting there
Licheń Stary lies about 10-14 kilometres from Konin, the nearest larger town with a railway station.
- by train and bus: travel to Konin, then take a bus to Licheń; in the pilgrimage season, from May, extra buses run from Konin to the Bethlehem Pilgrim House at weekends and on holidays - check the timetable with the operator and on the shrine's website
- by car or coach: access is via Konin; on major feasts and weekends in season arrive early, as that is when traffic is heaviest
- with a group: register your visit with the Pilgrim Service Office, which can also help you book a guide
When to go
The pilgrimage season runs from May to autumn, when most groups come. In winter and on weekdays the shrine is noticeably quieter, and the wide open spaces help you to recollect yourself.
- 15 August - the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the anniversary of the crowning of the image in 1967
- May - start of the season, when the extra bus services from Konin begin
- you will find the full calendar of celebrations and indulgence feasts on the shrine's website
What to see and experience
- The basilica - the largest church in Poland, with the miraculous image in the altar, chapels in the lower basilica and an organ with over 150 stops
- The Mary Mother of God bell - the largest bell in Poland, hung in 1999
- Golgotha - a 25-metre hill made of glacial boulders and stones brought by pilgrims, with Stations of the Cross and grotto chapels
- The Grąblin Forest - the place of the apparitions, with the trunk of the old pine and a Way of the Cross, set aside for quiet prayer
- The Church of St Dorothy - the historic place where the image was venerated for decades
- The shrine museum, opened in 2010
Practical information
- distances: the shrine is vast, and the Grąblin Forest lies some distance from the basilica - comfortable shoes are essential
- guided tours: short, standard and full routes, from about one to three hours; book them at the Pilgrim Service Office
- silence: recollection and silence are expected in the Grąblin Forest
- dress: modest, appropriate for a church
- Masses, services and confession: the current schedule is on the shrine's website
Accommodation and food
The shrine runs three pilgrim houses: Ark within the shrine grounds, Bethlehem at its centre and Nazareth by the Grąblin Forest. Each has a restaurant or dining room, and Ark and Bethlehem also have a café. You can book through the Pilgrim Service Office, by phone or via the contact form.
Tips from pilgrims
- Set aside a whole day for Licheń - a hurried visit usually ends at the basilica.
- Walk Golgotha in silence, step by step, meditating on the Way of the Cross; for many this is the most powerful part of their stay.
- Go to the Grąblin Forest towards evening or in the morning, when there are fewest people.
- If you are coming by public transport at the weekend, check the time of the last bus to Konin before you start exploring.
- Plan breaks for older pilgrims - the distances between the different parts of the shrine are long.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Licheń from Konin?
By bus from Konin. In season, from May, extra buses run on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays to the Bethlehem Pilgrim House. The current timetable is published by the operator and on the shrine's website.
How much time do I need to visit Licheń?
It is worth setting aside a whole day for the basilica, Golgotha and the Grąblin Forest. Guided routes last from about one to three hours.
Is the basilica in Licheń the largest church in Poland?
Yes. The basilica is about 139 metres long and is the largest church in Poland. It was consecrated in 2004.
Where can I stay in Licheń?
In one of the three pilgrim houses run by the shrine: Ark, Bethlehem or Nazareth. Bookings are handled by the Pilgrim Service Office.
What is the Grąblin Forest?
It is the place where, according to tradition, the image hung in the 19th century and where Mikołaj Sikatka spoke of apparitions of Mary. Today there is a Way of the Cross and a place for quiet prayer.
