Kalwaria Zebrzydowska

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 16^th 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 27^th 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

      here you can find luck and loose your heart as the one of many songs about Warsaw says. Wladyslaw Spilman  whose life was presented in  Roman Polanski  film ” The pianist ” composed  music and songs about his  loss of  heart to love of Warsaw. The great Poles of Jewish background like Tuwim,  Slonimski  , Singer through poetry and literature expressed love for Warshe as Warsaw is called in Yiddish. The museum of polish Jews culture in Warsaw provides more information about the history of Jewish people in Poland which were and are solidly interwoven into polish culture.  Warsaw 2014 is a amazing city in blossom of colourful flowers  magic of all sort of greens  of  trees attractively lining streets and charming lanes. This year Warsaw and Poland  celebrates,  with rest of democratic world days of freedom related to 25th anniversary of democratic elections.  These elections provided spark to  action in other eastern Europe nations to shake  the chains of oppressive,  imposed on Poland , system  being the result of  WWII  , this horrific war , which started 75 years ago with attack on Poland and bombing  of Warsaw in September 1939. Warsaw  is truly worldly city. Not only through its history . Also  the contemporary buzz of its culture activities of  “Warsavians “ ,beauty of attractively reconstructed and rebuild urban areas of “OLD TOWN” , parks and all aspects, of elements of urban setup  ,is  top central European metropolis. Here on castle square when in 1939 Nazi Hitler Luftwaffe were dropping bombs ,on 04th June 2014 president of  USA  Barack Obama during Freedom Day celebrations in his speech , noted around the world , thanked Poland for setting the example to the world how to wrest freedom without bloody conflict.

      On one of attractive escarpments by Wisla River , in New Town area  being  part of “OLD TOWN” overlooking  longest Polish  river , new attractive sculpture ,kind of architectural miniature of Marie Sklodowska Curie was unveiled by president of France François Hollande.  The statue is placed where Madam  Sklodowska was walking as young lady  and represents Madam Curie with physical model of  Polon which she discovered and  received  Noble Prize for this achievement .  Here  on this  embankment Warsavians  in the summery balmy evenings enjoy the fireworks  and water works . Often  presented on special days  like the longest day of the year  which usually comes on 21^st July  and is associated with  old Slavic tradition of “ Wianki “  . This spectacular event  where  type of  “ wreath   used as  headdress  ,being floral  plated  garland to fit on the  head  of these who wish to pay respect to this colourful tradition of midsummer solstice festival presents to all colourful experience   . This  tradition is related to the fertility  festivities  respecting   Slavic goddess of the harvest and love, Kupala.  These lovely headdresses  eventually end up on the water floating like in old days barges loaded with gift of fertile Polish land , golden wheat  , only to reach the Baltic Sea  and its  ports and harbours .  This year  “ Wianki “ Festival  was  enhanced  by the  show of ballooning  where more than 15 pilots , women and men  joined in in love of  air sailing  , floated on the  cloudless  sky of  Warsaw . This spectacle  brought  to spectator  chance to dream and  fantasize about all these activities which make our lives  romantic , adventures  and full of fun and joy . 

Warsaw  always presents to the visitors  very festive  spirit  . In the summery  days  Warsaw becomes stage  to many spectacular festivals , shows , events which unite citizens of this great city with visitors  from all possible corners of Poland and our Globe.Poland being very spiritual nation every June celebrates the “ Corpus Christi “ Day , which for visitors in Warsaw this June presented extra-ordinary emotional  , spiritual and also  cultural experience.

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Short trips from Warsaw Centre to Wilanow – King Johannes III Sobieski Palace  , where  in 1683 under his command  Polish and European  troops  went to defend the  Habsburg Vienna from Kara Mustafa forces .  Short distance away  from this architectural marvel is Konstancin . Greenery of this SPA parks  allows  pleasant  relaxation and reflections on visit to Warsaw . Here  on  hot summery  days  mineral  water spray  from  special  graduation towers   provides welcome  refreshing relief and also allows one to inhale  clean  ,rich with minerals air.   National Museum of Warsaw  presented this July amazing  visual anthology of Aleksander  Gierymski works . This master of painting is considered as one of the best XIX century Polish painters . His impressionistic strokes and expressions of “ light “ which he was seeking  and  presenting in his works  are  truly one of the highest  ” mastery ” in world of painting .     Very  remarkable , world  “hit “  was the “ Bodies revealed “  exhibition which reached   Warsaw this spring  to bedazzled viewers with the enormously  eye opening  to many , knowledge  of human body .  This   exhibition in very  candid   presentation has changed many visitors lives  and outlook on human body . The  extraordinary  and magnificent creation what we  as human beings represent in mother nature world. . Art in Warsaw is present everywhere .   One of attractive forms of presenting the “Poster art” which Poland  is famous for ,with great  skill  was shown on the  solid fence of Lazienki Park . What a joy it is. Visually  enjoying   great creations of “poster art”  and simultaneously hear  Chopin tunes  reaching one  ear  magnificently  played  by world class pianists , who at the base of Chopin statue at Lazienki every summery Sundays treat the listeners with riches of Chopin creations. 

Warsaw Opera House  on its stage where  just  close to 100  artists  in the Slanislaw Moniuszko “ Hunted Manor “ Opera   present  in  truly extra  ordinary artistic splendour of polish  music, folkloric and of past era costumes to drama of bygone days is  a  special treat  for the visitor to Warsaw . On the same stage “ Don Quixote”   story in ballet performance  and music  of Ludwig Minkus  also charms   and dazzles the spectators with graciousness of ” corp de ballet” and the soloists mastery of the fascinating balletic skills.  .

 Warsaw  , in its geographical  relative   centre  of Poland and Europe likewise ,opportunity  presents many  amazing impressions to all of visits  who desire to  visit other Polish towns.  In  comfortable  , modern  train  passengers ride  on silvery rails  ,in month of June  attractively  ,framed by the red carpet of poppy seeds. From all angles of  seeing the country side  , eager visitors  shall explore beauty of Poland. Wroclaw Krakow are some of easily accessible famous polish cities . 

Visit to Warsaw is beyond any doubt  exiting experience . To get there one can fly LOT Polish Airlines and its partners in STAR ALLIANE like Singapore Airlines .

July 2014

WMIG

Interesting links:

• http://www.lot.com/pl/en/   –  LOT Polish Airlines  / flights to Poland and within Poland
• http://www.singaporeair.com/SAA-flow.form?execution=e2s1  – Singapore Airlines flights  /code share on LOT to Poland
• http://www.mazurkas.com.pl/      – tours in Poland
• http://www.um.warszawa.pl/en   – official website of City of Warsaw