Poland is a country where the religious tourism is very popular. Lesser Poland is very attractive for pilgrims from all over the world because of the wide range of sanctuaries, calvary churches and another types of temples. One of the most visited places is Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy in Cracow-Lagiewniki.
What is all about?
Sanctuary in Cracow was founded in 1992 as a result of raising profile of the chapel of St.. Jack, built in the years 1889-1893, according to the designs of Charles Zaremba. In the chapel from the 1966 is the tomb of St. Faustina Kowalska. She was one of the most known person who has reported visions of Jesus and having conversations with him – she wrote about it in her diary, later published as a book The Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul. In the chapel there is also the first Divine Mercy image, based on Faustina’s reported visions of Jesus and painted by Adolf Hyla in 1944. The painting is recognized as a source of grace. Copies and reproductions of this painting spread throughout the world. It is the most famous image of the Merciful Jesus.
Mass pilgrimage to this place having occurred since the 40s of the XXcentury were the main reason for the creation of a sanctuary associated with her life and work. Sanctuary has been expanded basing on the mentioned chapel in the years 1997-1999 according to the plans of architect Witold Cęckiewicz. Currently, the sanctuary includes:
- historic monastery of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy,
- modern, two-storey basilica of Divine Mercy, built in 1999-2002. In the lower parts of the temple is a 5 chapels.
- Basil which can accommodate 5,000 people. Over the building towering 77-meter high observation tower.
- Chapel of Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament,
- Pastoral House,
- Aula John Paul II,
- shopping arcades,
- pastoral and social facilities.
The dynamic development of the Sanctuary started after Sister Faustina beatification,
18.04.1993 and her canonization 30.04.2000. The validity of this place also highlighted the pilgrimage of Pope John Paul II (1997 and 2002) and Pope Benedict XVI (2006). In the same year, the first pilgrimage of Pope Benedict XVI to Poland, a monument to Pope John Paul II was placed on the observation tower at the basilica.
It is a perfect place to visit in Kraków, if you are interested in religion.
Where: Faustyny 3 Street, 30-420 Cracow
How to get there: Tram No 8 or 10 from the City Center, Stop: Łagiewniki/ Borek Fałęcki
More about the sanctuary: http://www.milosierdzie.pl/lagiewniki/index.php/pl/
If you want to visit more places connected with JP II we suggest booking KrakowShuttle’s Catholic Tour.
