POLAND -RELIGIOUS SITES

RELIGIOUS SITES

1.       JASNA GORA

The sanctuary situated on top of the Jasna Gora Mount is a destination for pilgrims from all over the world. The tradition of pilgrimages goes back to the 14^th century. It is also in that period that oldest part of the pauline monastery was built: the Chapel of Our Lady with the miraculous painting of Our Lady of Czestochowa.

2.       St Mary’s Basilica in Gdansk

The world’s largest church made of brick ( 105 m long , 66 m wide , with a tower 78 m high) is situated in the heart of Gdansk and rises high up above the roofs in precious 15^th century astronomical clock which is functional today despite 437 years of remaining inactive. It is 14 metres tall and its creator, Hans Duringer, spent almost seven years before he completed it.

3.       GNIEZNO CATHEDRAL

The city, with its history going a long way back, used to be the first capital of Poland. One of its major monuments is the cathedral, raised to the rank of a basilica, which remembers the late 9^th century . The church saw the coronation of Polish Kings many a time. Another precious surviving artifact is the famous Door of Gniezno with wings decorated with scenes telling the legend of St Adalbert.

4.       LICHEN STARY

The Sanctuary of Our Lady Of Lichen is the biggest church in Poland,the seventh biggest in Europe and the eleventh biggest in the world. It has room for as many as 30 thousand pilgrims. It is also home to the largest bell in Poland, weighing 14.7 tonnes.

5.       WADOWICE

It is the hometown of Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) ,these days an important pilgrimage destination . The house where the pope grew up has been turned into a museum, called the Holy Father John Paul II family Home, and visited by tourists from all over the world. The Basilica, situated nearby, is also popular with visitors.               

6.       The Convent Complex in Lupiaz

The convent complex in Lubiaz is known as a masterpiece of Baraque in Silesia and it is the second largest religious site in the whole world. The vast terrains belonging to the Cistercian monks, once a powerful order, leave a lasting impression on visitors.