The Kalwaria Zebrzydowska Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the most popular destinations in the country for local and foreign tourists.
Location and How to Get to This Specific Site
The park is in Kalwaria at Krakow’s southwest point. It is to the east of Wadowice by the mountains of Beskids. You can get there by plane from Katowice or Krakow airports.
You can also take the Polish State Railways that connect Katowice and Krakow. If you are driving a car, the best starting points are Bielsko-Biala, Katowice and Krakow. You will see the park as you get near the town.
What to See There
The site is both a pilgrimage park and a Mannerist architectural and park landscape complex. There are many structures in the park. These include the Basilica of St. Mary which was created by Mikolaj Zebrzydowski on behalf of the Friars Minor Order.
Another landmark is the Ecce Homo Chapel. This was built by Paul Baudarth from 1605-1609. The vault is decorated with numerous stucco designs. Mikolaj Zebrzydowski’s Chapel of the Crucifixion was one of the earliest structures built at the Kalwaria Zebrzydowska Park.
History
The town was built in 1600 by Mikolaj Zebrzydowski. He was the Krakow vovoide of the Franciscan monks. It was configured after a Jerusalem map dating from 1584. The map was made by Kruik van Adrichem, a Christian monk.
The complex was built mostly during the Reformation around the 16th century. This would lead to prosperity and help facilitate its building. The town was named after the park, not the other way around. Om 1999, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Cost
The cost of a bus ride to the city will be at least 1 Euro. Plane ticket expenses will vary depending on where you are coming from.
Other Info
The structures in the park were built according to specific plans. For example, the Heart of Mary Chapel was patterned on the plan by Paul Baudarth. The chapel is designed to honor Christ’s encounter with Mary while on the Cavalry. Aside from the monuments themselves, the chapel courtyards are also worth checking out.
The Kalwaria Zebrzydowska Park is a popular site not just among tourists. It is also frequented by religious devotees. Today, there are many travel tour packages available online that you can avail of. Aside from the park, you may also be taken to other tourist sites in and around the town.
