"Czestochowa..." Czestochowa by coceng

Czestochowa Travel Guide: 124 reviews and 269 photos

BRZEZINKA<<<<<CZESTOCHOWA>>>>>OLSZTYN

POLANDMonday 20th May 2002
This city (pronounced chens-toe-HOE-vuh) is primarily of interest to devout Catholics. It's home to the holiest relic in Poland, The Black Madonna, also known as "Our Lady of Czestochowa." The object, a painted wooden panel, is kept in the 600-year-old Jasna Gora (Luminous Mountain) Monastery. (Copies of the icon are displayed in many churches throughout Poland.) On major religious holidays (such as Ascension Day), as many as 2 million visitors may go there to pay homage. It's a tradition for pilgrims to walk to the shrine from their homes -- residents of Warsaw leave nine days earlier. The icon is displayed during religious services only, so plan ahead to see it (don't expect to get a close look). The monastery also has three museums, one of which contains Lech Walesa's 1983 Nobel Peace Prize. On holy days, and even on weekends, accommodations can be very tight. Because the town offers few other attractions for tourists, it's best to stop for a service at the monastery while en route from Warsaw to Krakow.

A MUST SEE...

If you do stop in Czestochowa and have the time, you can take an interesting day trip to the nearby town of Olsztyn (not be confused with the northern Polish city of the same name).

The scenic Eagles' Nest Trail starts there and continues south to Ojcow National Park near Krakow, passing Mirow, Bobolice and the beautiful Ogrodzieniec castles en route. The trail can be traversed on foot or bicycle or by car.

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Taking the train from Krakow....arriving in Czestochowa on a bright sunny day, on Monday 20th May 2002.....even had time to visit the Olzstyn Castle ruins...

Last visit to Czestochowa: May 2002
Intro Updated May 9, 2004
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Comments (3)

Pawtuxet Oct 8, 2006 at 4:43 AM Report Abuse

Beautiful, wasn't it? We explored it on a previous trip. Wish we could have photographed interiors.
matcrazy1 May 20, 2004 at 7:44 AM Report Abuse

I agree with Marisha :-)))
marishabandb Nov 24, 2002 at 1:28 PM Report Abuse

Great start Anuar. More tips please.