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Czestochowa the "Black Madonna" Day Tour from Krakow
62 reviews
Follow the Eagles Nest Trail to Czestochowa to see the "Black Madonna", a Gothic painting of Our Lady at the monastery of Jasna Gora.
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In Brief
Location:
Kraków, Poland
Country:
Poland
Duration:
10 hours
Operates:
Tuesday, Thursday
Tours unavailable on Corpus Christi.
Tours unavailable on Corpus Christi.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: Krakow, Krakow, Lesser Poland Province, Southern Poland
Situated by the Vistula river, Krakow is the cradle of Polish culture anda characteristic urban phenomenon. It is the former capital of Poland, the place of coronation and later the burial ground of almost all Polish monarchs. For a long time it has been attracting scholars with the oldest university in the country, artists with the cultural climate and pilgrims with the sanctuaries and holy relics. Since the beginning, Kraków has also been enticing tourists with its atmosphere, monuments, and recently also the memory of Pope John Paul II.
The legendary founder of the city was Prince Krak, the vanquisher of the Wawel Dragon (the effigy of the beast stands at the foot of Wawel Hill). Remnants of the oldest history of the city have been preserved in two mounds dating from the 7th century called the Wanda and Krak mounds. The first historical information about Krakow is contained in a 10th-century note of Ibrahim ibn Jakub. In the book of Muhammad al-Idrisi (dating from the 12th century) Krakow is described as a “beautiful and large city with many houses, residents, markets, vineyards and gardens.” At the beginning of the 12th century Gallus Anonymous depicted
Krakow as a thriving metropolis and wrote in his Chronicles: “Krakow, the capital city, excels all Polish cities.” Krakow was founded according to the Magdeburg law (by Bolesław V the Chaste) on the 5 June 1257. district) was inscribed on the UNESCO list of World Cultural and Natural Heritage
Sites in 1978 as the first of its kind.It is important for the residents of Krakow to cultivate their traditions such as the annual nativity crib contest or the Lajkonik wandering in the octave of the
Corpus Christi (June) from Zwierzyniec to the Main Market Square.
Among the many eminent people connected to Krakow are the Pope John Paul II; the Nobel Prize poets Czesław Miłosz and Wislawa Szymborska; the founder of the avant-garde theatre Cricot-2, Tadeusz Kantor; the playwright Stanisław Mrozek; Stanislaw Lem – the legend of Polish fantasy writing; Stanislaw Wyspianski – a painter, poet, playwright, designer and the author of works such as the stained glass decorating the Franciscan Church; and Dr. Feliks “Manggha” Jasinski– the benefactor of the Japanese collection displayed currently in the Manggha Centre of Japanese Art and Technology funded by Andrzej Wajda.
Stop At: Our Lady of Czestochowa / The Black Madonna, Czestochowa Poland
Jasna Gora Sanctuary in Czestochowa
It is the holiest place of Poland and one of the world’s most iThe Monastery of Jasna Góra in Częstochowa, Poland, is the third-largest Catholic pilgrimage site in the world. Home to the beloved miraculous icon of Our Lady of Częstochowa, the monastery is also the national shrine of Poland and the center of Polish Catholicism.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Jasna Gora, PL 42-225 Czestochowa 25, via P. A. Kordeckiego 2, Czestochowa Poland
Jasna Gora Sanctuary in Czestochowa
It is the holiest place of Poland and one of the world’s most iThe Monastery of Jasna Góra in Częstochowa, Poland, is the third-largest Catholic pilgrimage site in the world. Home to the beloved miraculous icon of Our Lady of Częstochowa, the monastery is also the national shrine of Poland and the center of Polish Catholicism.
Duration: 2 hours
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: Krakow, Krakow, Lesser Poland Province, Southern Poland
Situated by the Vistula river, Krakow is the cradle of Polish culture anda characteristic urban phenomenon. It is the former capital of Poland, the place of coronation and later the burial ground of almost all Polish monarchs. For a long time it has been attracting scholars with the oldest university in the country, artists with the cultural climate and pilgrims with the sanctuaries and holy relics. Since the beginning, Kraków has also been enticing tourists with its atmosphere, monuments, and recently also the memory of Pope John Paul II.
The legendary founder of the city was Prince Krak, the vanquisher of the Wawel Dragon (the effigy of the beast stands at the foot of Wawel Hill). Remnants of the oldest history of the city have been preserved in two mounds dating from the 7th century called the Wanda and Krak mounds. The first historical information about Krakow is contained in a 10th-century note of Ibrahim ibn Jakub. In the book of Muhammad al-Idrisi (dating from the 12th century) Krakow is described as a “beautiful and large city with many houses, residents, markets, vineyards and gardens.” At the beginning of the 12th century Gallus Anonymous depicted
Krakow as a thriving metropolis and wrote in his Chronicles: “Krakow, the capital city, excels all Polish cities.” Krakow was founded according to the Magdeburg law (by Bolesław V the Chaste) on the 5 June 1257. district) was inscribed on the UNESCO list of World Cultural and Natural Heritage
Sites in 1978 as the first of its kind.It is important for the residents of Krakow to cultivate their traditions such as the annual nativity crib contest or the Lajkonik wandering in the octave of the
Corpus Christi (June) from Zwierzyniec to the Main Market Square.
Among the many eminent people connected to Krakow are the Pope John Paul II; the Nobel Prize poets Czesław Miłosz and Wislawa Szymborska; the founder of the avant-garde theatre Cricot-2, Tadeusz Kantor; the playwright Stanisław Mrozek; Stanislaw Lem – the legend of Polish fantasy writing; Stanislaw Wyspianski – a painter, poet, playwright, designer and the author of works such as the stained glass decorating the Franciscan Church; and Dr. Feliks “Manggha” Jasinski– the benefactor of the Japanese collection displayed currently in the Manggha Centre of Japanese Art and Technology funded by Andrzej Wajda.
Stop At: Our Lady of Czestochowa / The Black Madonna, Czestochowa Poland
Jasna Gora Sanctuary in Czestochowa
It is the holiest place of Poland and one of the world’s most iThe Monastery of Jasna Góra in Częstochowa, Poland, is the third-largest Catholic pilgrimage site in the world. Home to the beloved miraculous icon of Our Lady of Częstochowa, the monastery is also the national shrine of Poland and the center of Polish Catholicism.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Jasna Gora, PL 42-225 Czestochowa 25, via P. A. Kordeckiego 2, Czestochowa Poland
Jasna Gora Sanctuary in Czestochowa
It is the holiest place of Poland and one of the world’s most iThe Monastery of Jasna Góra in Częstochowa, Poland, is the third-largest Catholic pilgrimage site in the world. Home to the beloved miraculous icon of Our Lady of Częstochowa, the monastery is also the national shrine of Poland and the center of Polish Catholicism.
Duration: 2 hours
Inclusions
- Air-conditioned vehicle.
- Live guide.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (designated centrally located Krakow hotels only).
- If you are interested in complementary hotel pickup, please make sure to contact the supplier
- no later than 24h prior to your tour
- Roundtrip transportation is available from designated centrally located Krakow hotels.
- Pls arrange pickup from your hotel or a nearby location when you call to confirm your reservation.
- You are required to wait at the reception 5 minutes before your scheduled pickup time.
- If you do not require hotel pickup, or your hotel cannot be serviced,
- you must make your own way to main tour departure point: the bus park at 7 Powisle Street,
- across from the Sheraton Grand Hotel Krakow.
- Check-in at this location is 15 minutes prior to the booked tour start time.
Exclusions
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks, unless specified
Departure Point
Powiśle 7, 33-332 Kraków, Poland
Traveler pickup is offered
Departure Point
Choice of pickup from our main tour departure point: the bus park at 7 Powisle street, across from the Sheraton Grand Hotel Krakow, or designated centrally located Krakow hotels.
If you are interested in complementary hotel pickup, please make sure to contact the supplier no later than 24h prior to your tour.
Roundtrip transportation is available from designated centrally located Krakow hotels. Please arrange pickup from your hotel or a nearby location when you call to confirm your reservation. You are required to wait at the reception 5 minutes before your scheduled pickup time.
If you do not require hotel pickup, or your hotel cannot be serviced, or you do not confirm the pickup time & location, you must make your own way to main tour departure point: the bus park at 7 Powisle Street, across from the Sheraton Grand Hotel Krakow. Check-in at this location is 15 minutes prior to the booked tour start time.
Departure Time
Please note that departure times vary depending on the pickup location. Unless you will be picked up from our main tour departure point: the bus park at 7 Powisle street, across from the Sheraton Grand Hotel Krakow. Departures from the designated centrally located hotels are held 30-50 minutes before your scheduled pickup time.
Return Details
original departure point
Returns To
Returns to original departure point
Additional Information
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately. A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- If you are interested in complementary hotel pickup, please make sure to contact the supplier no later than 24h prior to your tour. Roundtrip transportation is available from designated centrally located Krakow hotels. Please arrange pickup from your hotel or a nearby location when you call to confirm your reservation. You are required to wait at the reception 5 minutes before your scheduled pickup time. If you do not require hotel pickup, or your hotel cannot be serviced, or you do not confirm the pickup time & location, you must make your own way to main tour departure point: the bus park at 7 Powisle Street, across from the Sheraton Grand Hotel Krakow. Check-in at this location is 15 minutes prior to the booked tour start time.
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
Booking Information
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation Terms
This trip is fully refundable up to 96 hours prior to the commencement of your trip.
Booking Terms and Conditions
When you book this trip, you need to read and accept the terms and conditions for booking our day trips in excursions.
Hotel Pickup
When you book, we will ask you to select a hotel to be picked up from. Once your booking is confirmed, we'll send you a confirmation voucher with full contact information (phone number, email address) for our local operator in case you need to update or change your hotel pick-up details.
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about hotel pickup:
What if my hotel is not listed?
That's okay. When you book you can select an hotel from our list and make your way there on the day of departure; or you can contact our local operator directly to make alternate pick-up arrangements.
What if I have not yet booked a hotel?
Once your hotel arrangements are finalised, you can contact our local operator directly with your hotel details.
What if I live locally, am staying with friends or relatives, and/or don't require pick-up?
Once your booking is confirmed, we'll send you complete details and directions to the tour/activity departure point.
Scoring an average traveller rating of 5 out of 5 based on the last 24 recent reviews
“
Pieskowa Skala castle was very picturesque through beautiful countryside. The guide was very good and gave time to visit the castle and a stop for refreshments. The Black Madonna at Czestochowa was a very uplifting experience with time to pray at the church and to view the Black Madonna close up. The food at the polish restaurant was delicious a very enjoyable trip.”
kathy42war • Submitted 19 Nov 2017
“
Beautiful castle: worthwhile are the beautifully restored renaissance courtyard, the impressive paintings and sculptures collection insight and the friendly and experienced guide. The church of the Black Madonna is like a little Vatican en the shrine itself, beautifully restored. After the tour, the guide even went with us to Krakow on a voluntary basis to show us some hidden places on the market square. highly recommanded.”
Petra T • Submitted 17 Sep 2017
“
This review may well be published because it is positive. Do not waste your time on negative reviews as it appears they are ignored.”
Anne L • Submitted 12 Sep 2017
“
My experience was really very good and I recommend this tour to everyone who visit Poland! Jasna Gora monastery in Czestochowa is very special place and Black Madonna extraordinary! Our guide Andrew Andrej? was really nice and friendly person, his information about history of Poland was really useful! Pieskowa Skala Castle was also nice with its long history and beautiful nature. This tour was the highlight of my trip. Thank you!”
Kristi M • Submitted 25 Aug 2017
“
For anyone interested in pilgrimage sites, this is a must do. To see this incredible painting and see the beauty of the chapels, it's breathtaking. My guide recommended the covering of the painting at noon only occurs during winter and I'm so thankful he did! I thought it would be a cloth over it, but there were drums and a plaque lowered over it. FYI Pieskowa Skala Castle is closed on weekdays in the winter season, but it was still beautiful to see the national park from the outside. My guide was absolutely delightful and so informative about the area and history of the painting. I highly recommend this tour to anyone!!!”
amerovich • Submitted 15 Jan 2017
“
Anyone visiting Poland needs to go to Czestochowa.
Wish we could have left earlier to catch the mass at 11:00”
Liz • Submitted 28 Sep 2016
“
Our tour was very good. The only downside was that we could not visit pieskowa castle due to restoration work underway. The operator had been up front months ago at the time we booked which was the classy way to handle this. The Jasna gora monastery was quite impressive. Be sure to see the treasury, arsenal and the museum is in addition to the basilica and icon.”
Jules J • Submitted 19 Apr 2016
“
Another excellent day. The guide once more being very knowledgable and handling the organisation of the day extremely well.”
Aleksandra P • Submitted 09 Sep 2015
“
Our tour guide Mr. Andrzej was very knowledgeable and pleasant. We were very surprised that our tour ended up being a private one! And the castle was such an excellent bonus side trip. Even if you speak the language like I do, I still recommend this trip so that you can learn things while you travel comfortably and stress free.”
Catherine P • Submitted 15 Jul 2015
“
Very nice tour. Guide was personable knowledgeable and extremely helpful even to the point of helping to order lunch items and show us some hidden parts of Krakow when we returned. Very much recommended.”
Richard D O • Submitted 13 Jul 2015
“
Love the day trip and the guide is very knowledgeable.”
Lazy traveller • Submitted 10 Sep 2014
“
The guide was very knowledgable. His English was perfect, and he was very nice. The tour was a wonderful experience. I suggest it to anyone who is interested in visiting Poland.”
Sue N • Submitted 20 Aug 2014
“
Our trip was wonderful! Perfect in every regard.”
Stacy A • Submitted 31 Aug 2015
“
Absolutely beautiful and very well organised. Our guide Andrzej was very well informed and a wonderful guide. Czestochowa is beautiful and we got there in time to see the unveiling of the picture in the church, a beautiful moment. Would definitely recommend going there!!”
Monika K • Submitted 29 Oct 2013
“
The highlight of the tour was the Nun lead tour of Czestochowa and seeing the Black Madonna. Meanwhile our Viator guide went home while we were touring the shrine and brought us back home made cookies. We loved the Poles and Poland.”
John B • Submitted 19 Jul 2013
“
Fabulous tour. Our tour guide was Krystof, so knowledgeable, perfect gentleman, fun day together.”
Ehunadi • Submitted 02 Jul 2013
“
A very interesting and well-explained tour.”
Mario S • Submitted 15 Aug 2012
“
A wonderful day out. At the black Madonna there is so much to see. A placeof prayer for us catholics. Time was short, though our wonderful guide granted us another half an hour on our request. At the Castle we could have saved time to spend at Cztochowa.”
George X • Submitted 10 Sep 2011
“
This was a fantastic trip.Pieskowa Skala Castle is a definite must for all travellers. It's a beautiful place.Czestochowa is a fantastic spiritual place and the black Madonna worth the trip alone.A nun was our tour guide and she was amazing.The only down side was the maroon coach and the inadequate knee room .”
David D • Submitted 11 Aug 2011
“
The driver Andrew was very informative.
You get plenty of time ate the black madonna.
In the castle you get a good insight on the work of arts. Especially if the tourguide i very passionate about the object their.”
Bryan T • Submitted 16 Aug 2011
“
Excellent tour with very knowledgeable guide. Art in Pieskowa Castle exceptional”
Anthony C • Submitted 23 Jul 2010
“
This was a very good tour. There were 6 people in our group and the driverguide was excellent. I strongly recommend this tour if your are religious or want to see an aspect of Polish Catholicism. However, be warned that it is a two hour drive to Czestochowa and two hours back. In a car, it was a bit cramped. Our guide gave us lots of information about Poland and Polish history on the ride to and from Czestochowa. Czestochowa was very crowded with lots of pilgrims. We spent three hours there. two hours with the guide and one hour on our own The visit to Pieskowa Skala castle was about an hour long.”
Craig B • Submitted 08 Jul 2010
“
Great driverguide and well worth time spent.”
Irene S • Submitted 06 Jul 2010
“
Excellent.”
Anonymous • Submitted 27 May 2010
In Brief
Location:
Kraków, Poland
Country:
Poland
Duration:
10 hours
Operates:
Tuesday, Thursday
Tours unavailable on Corpus Christi.
Tours unavailable on Corpus Christi.
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