I had two reactions to CZESTOCHOWA, the most important religious city in the nation, and one of the most important Marian pilgrimage sites on Earth.
First of all, it was exactly what I expected…only with MORE people.
Secondly…the rest of the city is a hole in the wall!
It’s not Czestochowa’s fault. This city has survived some of the most horrific and terrible fighting in the history of both Poland and Europe…but it was insidiously destroyed from within by the industrialization efforts of the Communist party. There’s a major rebuilding and renovation program going on (and to start with, the main avenue has been transformed into a fresh and clean, virtually-no-cars promenade). But 50 years of Communist rule reduced this city to a very ugly, unhappy state. I suppose I will have to come back in five years and see what transformations have been wrought.
In the mean time, here are some selections from the main attractions in Czestochowa…
(1) MONESTARY OF JASNA GORA (SHINING HILL)
In the late 14th century, the Paulite Order established this monestary…which became a fortress in the process. It survived attacks by the Hussites, Swedes, Germans, Austrians…and it lives to tell the tale. We climbed the giant tower, walked the surviving battlements…and viewed its most precious posession…which we’ll get to later…
(2) THE BASILICA
Par for the course: very beautiful, and the monestary’s main church complex.
(3) THE CHAPEL OF THE MIRACULOUS PICTURE
The picture is the Black Madonna. Clink on the link to read about its history and significance…because it would take too long to simply write about it. All you need to know is that this picuture is credited with miracles, was officially crowned Queen of Poland, and is known around the world.
It was packed (on an ordinary, nothing special day), and between the crowd and the lighting, these are some of the clearest shots I could snap. I can’t even imagine what this place must be like on pilgrimage & feast days. People walked around the altar on their knees…and during the mass, and the unveiling of the picture, hundreds of people were overcome with emotion (my mother included). Watch for the picture with the wall full of crutches…left behind by those who were cured of their afflictions.
(4) AVENUE (AL) NMP (NAJSWIETSZEJ MARII PANNY)
The main drag, recently pedestrianised for greater pleasure & comfort.
And that’s it for my posts FROM Poland. There’s one more picture post that will eventually appear…but that will have to wait until I get home (our plane leaves this Saturday). So be patient…and the finale of the trip — Warsaw — will eventually arrive.
