Pilgrimage place of Poland
In the town of the same name we can find an extensive religious complex (Calvary) founded in 1602 by King Mikołaj Zebrzydowski. Part of the complex is an extensive monastery with a cathedral, where every Sunday masses are held and a number of chapels scattered around. The complex has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.
Monastery
The largest part of the complex is undoubtedly the monastery. Large building dominated by the cathedral. There is, among other things, a cafe or hostel for pilgrims. Kalwaria Zebrzydowska is a popular pilgrimage site. Numerous processions are also held here.
Chapel
Another part of the large complex is a number of chapels. Here you will find chapels dedicated to the individual stops of the Stations of the Cross, or even the tomb of God.
Stop at Herod
Some of the chapels are architecturally very nice. However, not all are accessible. Some can be visited, some are even passable, so that she can go through the procession better here.
Chapels of different shapes
Each stop / chapel is a little different. Some are just an inconspicuous ordinary structure, others are of non-traditional shapes.
Visit to Pilate
The most interesting chapel is the Chapel of Pilate of Pontius. In addition to the architectural side, it is also interesting in that there is a covered staircase and statues of Christ and Pilate on the gallery of the chapel.
Sunday
Our visit to Calvary took place on Sunday. There are a huge number of people at that time. Masses are held in the local cathedral all day, one after the other. People from all over the area come here, including Krakow, people old, young, with small children. There are also a number of stalls where you can buy rosaries or holy pictures (especially with John Paul II).
Procession
During our short visit and about a two-hour walk, we met several processions. This procession goes from chapel to chapel and ends at the cathedral. The path is far from easy, but even so, the procession is very diverse – from small children to old people with crutches. In each procession there is a priest reading from the Bible and a person carrying a cross. In this particular, there was even a man carrying a trumpeter on his back to make prayers easier to hear.
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