Kalwaria Zebrzydowska & Wadowice PRIVATE religious tour from Krakow (6h)

This shrine was founded by the Zebrzydowski family in the early 17th century. The Zebrzydowski family were responsible for the founding and funding of this sanctuary in 1602 when Nicholas Zebrzydowski gave the Chapel of the Crucifixion and surrounding lands to the Bernardine Fathers to build a monastery with a church and a chapel on the site. Between 1604 and 1609 at the foot of Mount Zar, building work on the monastery and church continued according to the designs of Italian architect and jesuit, Giovanni Maria Bernardoni with the assistance of Flemish architect and goldsmith, Paul Baudarth. In the newly constructed church the image of Our Lady of Calvary was placed, already credited earlier with miracles.

Nicholas Zebrzydowski also decided to fund the construction of the Stations of the Cross, modelled on old Jerusalem and the first in Poland. Today it has over 40 chapels spread over the entire area with names relating to the New Testament including the Tomb of Our Lady and Getsemane. The chapels are linked with well maintained alleyways with flowers from Spring onwards.

Some of the most important celebrations at the Calvary depict the Passion of Christ and the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and are regarded as the greatest religious ceremonies in Poland. The largest of them are held during Passion Week bringing together nearly 100,000 pilgrims each year.

The Baroque church (17th c) contains the revered painting of Our Lady of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska. The Calvary, the Way of the Cross, is lined with shrines, chapels and small churches and is picturesquely set on hills and in the valley of a stream. The sanctuary is visited by approximately one million pilgrims each year. It is famous for its Passion plays. The most important processions are held during Holy Week (Easter) and on Our Lady’s Assumption Day.

It is here that Karol Wojtyła was baptised and received his First Holy Communion. During his pilgrimages to Wadowice, he visited his parish church three times. In 1999, he crowned the painting of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. On 15 May 2011, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kraków, Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz donated here the following relics: the blood of John Paul II in a special reliquary, the golden monstrance with the coat of arms of his predecessor. Since then, the relics are kept in a special papal chapel.

The building dates back to the 19th century. In 1919, the Wojtyła family moved here. They rented a two-room flat with kitchen, on the first floor. It is here that, on 18 May 1920, Karol Józef Wojtyła – Saint John Paul II was born. In 2010, a thorough renovation of the building began. Thanks to the opened in 2014 multimedia exposition, tourists can get acquainted with the whole life path of the Saint John Paul II. The heart of the museum is the flat in which Karol Wojtyła was born and raised. Inside there are original exhibits related to the Wojtyła family. The whole is completed by the decoration, furnishings and personal souvenirs of the Saint John Paul II. The museum tour provides you with really exceptional feeling.

The original shape of the square dates back to the 14th century. At that time it had the shape of a square, with dimensions of c.a. 70 x 70 m. Karol Wojtyła crossed the market square every day, on his way to the elementary school, and later to the middle school. Also his school friends lived by the market square. He met the inhabitants of Wadowice during his pilgrimages to the Motherland.

The building was erected in the first half of the 19th century. It is by the John Paul II Square. Currently it is the seat of one of the banks. In 1936, the premises were rented a Viennese confectioner that came to Wadowice from Brzesko – Karol Hagenhuber. He brought with him a recipe for the production of cream pies, from the best masters from Vienna. Kremówka – this new delicacy quickly gained the recognition of local gourmets. The Confectionery was there until 1945.

The middle school in Wadowice was established in 1866 as a classical middle school. The curriculum included Polish, Latin and German. In its history, there were many outstanding students and graduates. Karol Wojtyła ttended the school for eight years. He was an outstanding student, having almost only the highest marks.