Tour 5 - Pope Saint John Paul II Pilgrimage Tour

Wadowice Birth Place of Pope Saint John Paul 11

Our tour begins by visiting the town Wadowice and the Minor Basilica of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary where John Paul II was baptised as a Catholic, had his first Holy Communion, served as an altar boy and on the 10 November 1946, Father Karol Wojtyła performed his first mass.

The church is impressive with its 15th century Gothic chancel and 18th century Baroque nave and aisles that lead to four chapels.

The Chapel of the Holy Cross
Which features an altar with the miraculous painting of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

The Chapel of the Holy Family
With its baptismal font where on the 20th June 1920, Karol Wojtyla was baptised.

The Chapel of the Crucifixion
Where relics of Saints Father Maximilian Kolbe, Padre Pio and Simon of Lipnica are exhibited.

The Chapel of the Saint John Paul II
Where on the altar is a reliquary containing the blood of Pope Saint John Paul II and on the vault is a painting of the last of his 14 papal encyclicals, depicting the miraculous multiplication of the loaves.

After exploring the church we will stop to have a short break for coffee or tea and a slice of the famous Pope’s Kremowka cake in a lovely cafe hidden behind the main square before taking a guided tour of John Paul’s II family home (found next door to the church) where he was born and raised.

The Family Home of John Paul II Museum

Now a state-of-the-art museum spread over 4 floors and consisting of 16 thematic areas that highlights Karol Wojtyla incredible life as a child, student, his life in Krakow before and during WWII, his priesthood, as bishop, as cardinal and his life as the John Paul II Pope in Rome.

The first floor of the house has been preserved as it was when Karol Wojtyla lived there with his family as a child and contains many original items of furniture and personal belongings.

The museum also gives us a greater understanding of Polish life under occupation and why the Pope was such a beacon of light for the Polish people.

After this fascinating tour which is in English and lasts one and a half hours we will stop for lunch at one of the many fine restaurants found in Wadowice before heading on to our next destination the fabulous Kalwaria Zebrzydowska Monastery and pilgrimage park that is set in the heart of picturesque Polish countryside.

Kalwaria Zebrzydowska Monastery UNESCO World Heritage Site

Was commissioned In 1602 by the then Voivode of Kraków Mikołaj Zebrzydowski and is one of the most impressive Mannerist, High Renaissance and Baroque Architectural working monastery’s in Poland & Europe. It’s a place of great beauty and spiritual importance attracting thousands of pilgrims a year and is surrounded by forests, hills & valleys.

The monastery and surrounding chapels, churches and other architectural structures where created as a copy of the landscape of the Holy City Jerusalem as it was believed to exist at the time of Christ.

The pilgrimage park that surrounds the monastery is closely related to the themes of Christ’s Passion and the life of the Virgin Mary. Its original layout and architectural features have survived intact.

On a clear day the monastery offers magnificent panoramic views of the surrounding area even as far as the Tatra Mountains.

The Monastery still contains all its original artwork and artefacts and has been preserved in stunning condition. A real must to see whilst visiting Malopolska Poland.

After visiting Kalwaria Zebrzydowska Monastery we will stop to have something to drink and eat before heading back to your hotel or pickup/drop off point, where this great tour and day out ends.