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About this activity

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Pass By: Cracow Tours, ul. Krupnicza 3, Krakow 31-123 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

Stop At: Zamek Pieskowa Skala, Ojcowski Park Narodowy, Suloszowa 32-045 Poland

The scenic valley of the Prądnik is dominated by Pieskowa Skała Castle, one of the finest examples of Renaissance architecture in Poland.

Pieskowa Skała Castle has loomed over the valley of the Prądnik for over 700 years. Founded by King Casimir the Great (Kazimierz Wielki), it was a fortress and an element in the chain of fortifications defending the trading route from Kraków to Silesia. In the 16th century, the rogue Szafraniec family turned it into a stately residence with a splendid arcaded courtyard with a loggia on the outside. The castle has survived in a nearly unchanged form, and today it provides one of the most beautiful examples of Renaissance architecture in Poland. Interiors boast collections of painting, sculpture, and artistic crafts from the collection of Wawel Royal Castle, and an exhibition devoted to Pieskowa Skała. A word of warning: the place is said to be haunted by the spirit of a previous owner, Krzysztof Szafraniec, a knight beheaded for brigandry in the 15th century.

Duration: 30 minutes

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Included

Air-conditioned vehicle.
Live guide.
From November to April Pieskowa Skala Castle is closed for the visitors.
From November to April you will visit the castle from the outside.
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.
Entry/Admission - Zamek Pieskowa Skala

Not included

Gratuities
Food and drinks, unless specified

Additional

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
From November to April Pieskowa Skała Castle is closed for the visitors. You will visit the castle from the outside.
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.
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
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.
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers

Features

Tourism

95%

Cultural

70%

Reviews

4.3

62

k

kathy42war

5 | 2017-11-19

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.

m

mikestorrs

1 | 2017-10-19

My wife grew up in a community of Polish Americans and the Black Madonna was an icon not only of the Catholic Church in Poland but of the church in her community as well. Many families had a picture of her in their homes. She wanted to see it in person. The tour was a day long drive and when we arrived a Mass was being conducted in the chapel where the picture was displayed. We had a small glimpse of the picture over several hundred people and through a metal grate. We waited to the end of the mass in the hopes that some of the people would leave but as the mass ended a cover was lowered over the painting. We understood that it would be open for viewing again at 2:00 in the afternoon but our tour could not wait for that. The only saving grace was that we were the only two people on the tour and our tour guide Bruno was delightful and we enjoyed talking with him on the trip up and back. If you are going to offer this tour you should understand when the painting will be visible.

c

chomicki

4 | 2017-09-25

Could have spent less time @ Pieskowa Castle and more time @ Czestochowa/Black Madonna Guide was professional, knowledgeable, and helpful Enjoyable day

R

Robert M

3 | 2017-09-13

While both tour destinations were outstanding and well worth a visit if a castle visit and religious shrine are your interests, we could have done without the snarky, anti-religion attitude of Andrew the tour guide. Fortunately, most of the visit to the shrine was self-guided after a brief introduction by Andrew. He should present a neutral opinion since most people taking this tour are almost certainly going for a spiritual experience. There were several museums at the site he just pointed out the entrance to. Other guides were together with other groups in the museums, offering commentary, etc. Why not with this pricey tour?

K

Kristi M

5 | 2017-08-25

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!

D

Dargravish

4 | 2016-10-09

Czestochowas was very crowded which cant be helped but very interesting. The Castle was nice. The tour guide was very informative and helpful.

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