Incoming - A Pilgrim on Polish Land / 10 days

Day 1

Arrival in Poland, transfer to Poznań – the main city of the province known as the Great Poland. This is one of the largest cities located in western Poland which has the function of a historical and industrial city as well as an important fair centre. Check-in procedure and welcome dinner.

Day 2

Sightseeing of the city – the birthplace of Christianity in Poland and the former seat of the prince. Poznań is the historical heart of Poland – the baptism of the state took place here in the 10th century and then spread on the whole area of the country. A visit to the Old Market Square with the renaissance Town Hall and its unique clock with moving figures of fighting goats that can be seen everyday at noon. The church of St. Mary Magdalene and St. Stanislas with the extraordinary main altar and famous pipe organs. A visit to Ostrów Tumski – the former seat of the bishop and the prince. Sightseeing of the cathedral – the place where first rulers of the Piast dynasty are buried. Return to the hotel and dinner.

Day 3

Morning departure for Warsaw. On the way we will stop in Gniezno – the city with more than a thousand-year-old history, the first capital of Poland (until the 11th century). Here in the year 999 relics of St. Adalbert were laid and the local church became a famous medieval pilgrimage destination. The gothic cathedral of the state where coronation ceremony of the first Polish king took place in 1025 testifies the early beginnings of country’s history. It shelters treasures of art such as St. Adalbert’s baroque silver coffin, decorative tombstones and chapels. The monument of great artistic value are the unique Romanesque ornamented bronze doors with relieves. Next we will stop in Trzemeszno to visit the oldest Polish abbey. Primarily the church belonged to the Benedictine order that commissioned the construction of the stone basilica. Next we will go to Licheń to visit the seventh largest temple in Europe dedicated to the cult of Our Lady. The basilica is still under construction but it receives almost as many pilgrims as the Monastery in Częstochowa. Evening arrival in Warsaw, accommodation at the hotel.

Day 4

A whole-day excursion to Płock. The town is picturesquely situated on the elevated bank of the Vistula. The 11th century cathedral is the burial church of two Polish kings. On the way back you will pay a visit to Niepokalanów with its Franciscan Monastery and the Museum of St. Maximilian Kolbe – the monk who sacrificed his life to save a prisoner in the Nazi concentration camp in Auschwitz. Return to the hotel.

Day 5

Guided sightseeing of Warsaw to follow the best recognised attractions, such as: the Royal Castle, the Sigismund Column, the Old Town Square, the narrowest house, defensive walls, the Grand Theatre, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. During the Second World War the city suffered from serious destruction, almost 95 per cent of all buildings were destroyed. The process of great reconstruction started soon after the war was over. The standard tour will be connected with sightseeing of Warsaw ecclesiastical monuments: St. John’s Cathedral (torn down during WWII and rebuilt afterwards), the Military Cathedral, the Visitandine church, St. Mary’s, the Holy Cross church (where the heart of Chopin is buried). Time to explore the city on your own.

Day 6

Morning departure for Częstochowa – the sanctified place of national worship and pilgrimage. The miraculous Icon of Blessed Virgin Mary is believed to bring protection, relief and joy. Sightseeing of the  monastic complex with the basilica, the Treasury, Way of the Cross and fortifications. Time for individual prayer and contemplation. Afternoon drive to Kraków, accommodation followed by dinner.

Day 7

Guided sightseeing of Kraków to follow the footsteps of the Pope John Paul II. You will visit the following places: the Wawel Cathedral where the Pope celebrated his first mass, the University where he studied literature, St. Florien’s where the young vicar Wojtyła organised various parish activities, Kanonicza Street where he lived, St. Catherine’s where he celebrated masses and supervised the choir. On the “Route of the Pope” you will also have a chance to visit the most important monuments of Kraków: medieval defensive walls with the Florien’s Gate, the Main Market Square, the Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s church with the 15th century altar carved out of linden, the University district with Collegium Maius – the building dating back to the beginnings of the noble school. In the afternoon you will visit the Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy which was consecrated by the Pope during this year’s (2002) pilgrimage. The cult is internationally recognised and it attracts more and more pilgrims. Evening pipe organ concert in one of historical churches in Kraków.

Day 8

Half-day trip to the Salt Mine in Wieliczka to visit the unique, extraordinary labyrinth of tunnels and caverns of the Salt Mine. The 2,5-hour underground tour of the system of chambers, chapels, longitudinal  and traversing corridors mostly decorated with sculptures will become an unforgettable experience. St. Kinga – the official patron saint of local miners has been honoured by carving out the spectacular underground salty chapel. In the afternoon you will have the time for individual exploration.

Day 9

Whole-day trip to see Auschwitz and Birkenau – former Nazi concentration camps. In this sad museum of human extermination you will see the grief and cruelty of the Second World War. On the way back to Kraków we will stop in Wadowice – the birthplace of the Pope John Paul II to see the parish church and the house where Karol Wojtyła was born. Nowadays the house functions as a biographical museum exhibiting mainly photographs depicting various moments from Wojtyła’s life. Return to Kraków and farewell dinner.

Day 10

Transfer to the airport or railway station.