Professional Krakow guide invite You for a guided tour to the little homeland of John Paul II. During the sightseeing we will visit Wadowice, a small, picturesque town, where the future Pope was born and a wonderful, 17th-century Sanctuary in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, the place, which strongly influenced the religiosity of the young Karol Wojtyła.
Our pilgrimage begins in Kalwaria (meaning ‘the Calvary’) Mannerist buildings of the Sanctuary has such an exceptional value, that they were put on the UNESCO World Heritage List and declared a historical monument by the Polish authorities. Mikołaj Zebrzydowski, founder of the complex – who was a magnate and major political player, but also a very pious man – initiated the construction of Calvary in the early 17th century. The main inspiration was the work of Dutch theologian called Adrichomius, who described the Holy Land (the way it looked in the time of Christ). Apart from the magnificent Basilica and Bernardine Monastery, many beautiful chapels dedicated to the different stages of the Passion and events from the life of Vrgin Mary were built there. It was the first foundation of that kind in Poland! Nowadays, the chapels – each one of them is a real gem of architecture – are hidden in a greenery and connected by the paths hiking through the hills (called Golgotha, Mount Zion, Mount of the Olives).The beauty of this complex and its perfect fitting into the landscape is breath-taking!
After the Kalwaria Zebrzydowska sightseeing we will go straight to Wadowice. In the hometown of St. John Paul II we will visit the house, where he spent his childhood – today it is a fascinating museum. We will also visit the Basilica of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and take a walk through the Market Square to the patisserie, where the young Karol and his friends ate the famous cream cakes.
Our tour Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, Wadowice sightseeing is a great supplement to the route Paths of John Paul II, which include all places related to the Pope in Krakow.
