"Kordecki... Pulaski... and others" Top 5 Page for this destination Czestochowa Travelogue by gosiaPL

Czestochowa Travel Guide: 124 reviews and 269 photos

I'm not sure if this will be of interest to you but
I had to create this travelogue...

If at least one of you thinks
this adds to the picture of Jasna Gora,
helps you understand why it is so important,
or simply gives you some nice info,

then it was worth it!

SWEDISH INVASION, 1655

When Poland was invaded by Swedes in 1655, they came as far south as Cracow, and soon started the siege of Jasna Gora demanding that the army surrenders and leaves the fortress. But father Augustyn Kordecki decided to continue defending the monastery with only 170 soldiers, 20 noblemen and 70 monks. The siege took 40 days but the grand Swedish army was defeated. The victory was both religious and political - it was ascribed to the Virgin Mary, and that was the moment when the nation rose to fight the invaders.

Henryk Rodakowski's painting Defense of Czestochowa (Obrona Czestochowy) shows father Kordecki as the spiritual leader in the besieged Jasna Gora.

Waterpaints, 1875-1876

KING JAN KAZIMIERZ VOWS, 1656

Five months later (in 1656), during a service at the Lvov cathedral, king Jan Kazimierz thanked the Virgin Mary for the great victory. In a solemn vow he also gave the nation and the country under Her protection, and declared Her the Patron and Queen of Poland. From that moment Jasna Gora has become the symbol of our religious and political freedom.

That is why we often say you can't understand Catholic Poland if you can't grasp what Jasna Gora means to us ... If this is something you find difficult to understand, at least show respect when visiting this most important shrine in Poland.

Jan Matejko's painting The vows of Jan Kazimierz (Sluby Jana Kazimierza) shows the king's solemn vow at the Lvov cathedral.

Oils, 1893

GENERAL PULASKI, 1772

This goes back to shortly before the first partition of Poland. Our (hmm, not sure...) king Stanislaw Poniatowski cared more for the interests of Russia than of Poland. So the army and the noblemen founded an armed uprising (called the Bar confederation) against the king. One of its leaders was general Kazimierz Pulaski who came to Jasna Gora to protect it against the Russians. He suceeded in defending the sanctuary for 3 years but when the Bar confederation was defeated in 1772, the king ordered to surrender the shrine and fortress to the Russians. That was the first time the enemy entered Jasna Gora, and that same year Poland was partitioned (some parts of the country were annected by Russia, Prussia and Austria).

General Kazimierz Pulaski was soon exiled from Poland. He is also known for his role in the American War of Independence through which he is known as the Father of the American cavalry .

Jozef Chelmonski's painting Kazimierz Pulaski at Czestochowa (Kazimierz Pulaski pod Czestochowa) shows the general and his cavalry defending Jasna Gora.

?, 1875

GENERAL PULASKI again

Another painting that perpetuates the same hero:

Julisz Kossak's Kazimierz Pulaski at Czestochowa (Kazimierz Pulaski pod Czestochowa) shows a close-up on the general.

?, 1883

PRIMATE WYSZYNSKI VOWS, 1956

The early years of communism in Poland during Stalin's days were a wave of persecutions and attempts to break the Primate of the Polish Church, cardinal Stefan Wyszynski. When he was imprisoned, he decided that king Jan Kazimierz vows had to be renewed and he wrote a new text of the vows that was more relevant to the communist era ... The solemn vows were made at Jasna Gora in 1956 on the 300th anniversary of the king's vows. About 1 million people attended the celebration to also pray for the release of the Primate.

Primate Wyszynski was released from prison two months later. The commies realised they could not break him or the nation's 1,000 year-old faith and tradition.

One of the mosaics at Jasna Gora shows cardinal Wyszynski with the vows' text.

SOLIDARITY UNDER COMMUNISM, 1983

The independent Solidarity Union was delegalised when the martial law was introduced in 1981.

Two years later, the martial law was abolished, but Solidarity was still illegal and had to go undergound. Poles took every opportunity to manifest their support for the union, and pilgrimages to Czestochowa were no exception. Just like centuries before, Poles looked towards Jasna Gora for help, intercession and... a miracle.

Page Updated Dec 3, 2003
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Things to Do (10)
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Comments (21)

Pawtuxet Jul 16, 2006 at 3:46 PM Report Abuse

Reviewing and re-rating a wonderful page on a beautiful destination. Wish it wasn't pouring rain when I was there. Amazing sanctuary.
mikelisaanna Jun 20, 2006 at 2:04 PM Report Abuse

We enjoyed our visit to Czestochowa. Your pages brought ack some good memories!
gregoryr1m May 1, 2004 at 7:15 PM Report Abuse

Gosia, Wonderful travelogue. Filled with great history and art.
deecat Mar 7, 2004 at 11:13 AM Report Abuse

Fantastic pages that are so interesting and informational. I especially enjoyed the general information and the pilgrimage and your personal pilgrimage.
aussiedoug Jan 24, 2004 at 4:14 AM Report Abuse

Beautifully written pages & tips Gosia! Thank you for sharing your insights. If I ever get to Poland I will definitely visit here after reading your information.
Boniunia Jan 16, 2004 at 4:22 AM Report Abuse

Meeting Czarna Madonna...it was so impressive!! No words to describe this feeling...thank you Gosia for bringing those wonderful memories back!!
kenHuocj Jan 11, 2004 at 6:18 AM Report Abuse

superb insights, you have me thinking and wondering... ;-)))
matcrazy0 Jan 9, 2004 at 5:20 AM Report Abuse

Cudna stronka! Jestem dumna widzac takie piekne strony utworzone przez Ciebie! Bylam w Czestochowie... ponad 10 lat temu i nie mam zadnych zdjec.
globetrott Dec 27, 2003 at 8:26 AM Report Abuse

What an interesting place & excellent pics ! One day I hope to see it myself !
mtncorg Dec 22, 2003 at 1:39 PM Report Abuse

A great tour of one of Poland's great sites. And you did it the right way :-]