the largest European Calvary sanctuary is place for spirituality , peace , calm and reflective, meditative mood . This treasure of architectural beauty intertwined into landscape of surrounding mountains , is dedication and symbol to Christian Faith . This place is an UNESCO World Heritage site . Here John Paul II said remarkable words ” “Totus tuus ego sum, et omnia mea tua sunt. Accipio te in mea omnia. Praebe mihi cor tuum, Maria.” (“I belong entirely to you, and all that I have is yours. I take you for my all. O Mary, give me your heart”). 
When Europe was attempting to defend Christianity from expansion of Ottoman Empire ,on polish land very strongly Catholic country, Mikolaj Zebrzydowski in 1600 began to build and establish this spiritual marvel of architecture. So beautifully enmeshed into the splendour of nature of Baskidy Mountains . The concept of positioning Kalwaria Zebrzydowska within the woods and forests , between the old beech , oaks , pines , according to the model of the 1584 map of Jerusalem which was drawn by Christian Kruik van Adrichem was extraordinary task for these days . It was project with strong emphasis and representation of powerful Polish spirit and deep Faith of Mikolaj Zebrzydowski . 
He has provided Poland with first Calvary sanctuary on the land of Christianity . Within temple of natural beauty of the region he established spiritual sanctuary for Europe . Here the spirituality weaves itself into Temple of nature of Beskid Mountains . In the days of 16th hundreds era when throughout Europe 30 Years War was raging , when Poland was harassed by the Ottoman Wars and Jerusalem was in hands of Ottoman Empire , this region of southern Poland became the source of spiritual strength . Many noble pilgrims from all over Europe came to Kalwaria Zabrzydowska to rediscover passion for Christianity . Here in serenity of the nature of Beskid Mountains they could reflect and penance . The Lanskorona Mountain which represented Mount of Olives and Zarek Mountain which symbolizes Golgotha with other morphological and fluvial aspects of the land in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska presented to the pilgrims opportunity to repent and pay respect to Jesus Christ and Holy Mother Saint Mary. In peaceful atmosphere of divine nature ,with minds with Christ and Mary , resting eyes on amazing sacred structures .pilgrims prayed with eager spirituality and dedication .Surrounded by trees and vegetation of Carpathian mountains which stretches in shape of CRESSENT from Bratislava in the west to the Iron Gate of Danube in the East , pilgrims and visitors alike in this sanctuary were and are able to enter the depth of their spirituality ,mystery of their belief and conviction of God divinity . The area of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska development of the Passion of Jesus Christ and the life of the Virgin Mary path took many years. At mid of XVII century after the victory of Poland over Sweden in so called “ Deluge “ war ,who in 1655 plundered Kalwaria Zebrzydowska , the complex regained blossom under noble Czartoryski family .
The Calvary Sanctuary of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska with its external architectural designs presents also many interior tressures of styles . Best example of this is representation of periods is the First Church and Monastry being constructed between 1604-1609 . 
Here in Basilica of St. Mary one see the Giovanni Maria Bernardoni designing skills and touch of this great goldsmith from Antwerp, expressions of the early stages of Baroque . Generally Basilica of St. Mary of The Angels , being the most popular place of visit at the Sanctuary is considered as fine example of late Baroque and Rococo. 
The pilgrims, while venture into the site and following one of two main paths , routes like Christ Avenue and Our Ladys Avenue encounter many places of warship and solitude which are so desired when one comes to visit and reflect in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska . 
From Kalwaria Zebrzydowska it is just short bus ride to Wadowice , birth place of Karol Wojtyla who became Pope John Paul II and on 27th April 2 Anno Domini 2014 was Canonized . Visit to Wadowice presents one more amazing experience of seeing great ,architecturally pleasing , Main Square where the institutions close to John Paul II are situated . Church , school , narrow streets around bring visitor to spiritual contact with John Paul II . It is here where young Karol Wojtyla developed love for his Mountains and the Kalwaria Zebrzydowska . In Wadowice he began his spiritual journey through life and here his first visits to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska took place . These visits continued and become often frequent during all stages of his life and Holiness .
Of course all travellers , pilgrims alike need beside some emotional experiences for their souls also solid food for their bodies . In Kalwaria Zebrzydowska during great nature walks and in Wadowice whilst visiting the places close to John Paul II , visitors being taken into spiritual world of Poland are also able to taste polish culinary specialities .Wholesome foods await at lovely restaurants on Wadowice Square . Here some appetizing “ Krupnik” sour soup , “ Bigos” being cabbage stew and “ Zywiec” beer brewed in nearby town of Zywiec present visitors with yummy experience and adventure into the world of polish culinary fare . Of course visit to Wadowice has to be finished with famous “ Kremowka” cake which Karol Wojtyla enjoyed in early days of his youth and always savoured them during the visits as Pope John Paul II to his beloved Poland . 
Kalwaria Zebrzydowska and Wadowice visit can be conducted and be included in visit to Krakow . These places can be reached by frequent bus services and also by train services from Krakow . One can also consider visit to these centres as part of visit of Beskidy Mountain region where Zywiec , Bielsko – Biala are worth of visits . Of course Krakow is reached by train , bus or LOT Polish Airlines from Warsaw or other major Polish and world cities. Poland being in Central Europe is on the route of major carrier like Singapore Airlines , who have code-share services to Poland with LOT Polish Airlines .
WMIG June 2014
More information:
- http://www.kalwaria.eu/english.html – regarding Sanctuary ,
- http://www.wadowice.com/news.php – Wadowice
- LOT Polish Airlines and Singapore airlines sites details are available in other stories about Poland on the Snaptravelconsultants web
- http://www.mazurkas.com.pl/- tours to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska and tours around Poland with other land arrangements
Mitch Godziemba Swiat
mitchgodziemba