Kalwaria Zebrzydowska i Kalwaria Pacławska - podobieństwa i różnice

Kalwaria Zebrzydowska and Kalwaria Pacławska: Similarities and Differences

Summary: The article presents an outline of the main similarities and differences between the two largest Calvaries in the Carpathians, Kalwaria Zebrzydowska (the oldest such institution in Poland, founded in 1602), and Kalwaria Pacławska (founded 1668). In both the choice of a location was connected with the topographical similarity between the local area and Jerusalem. The foundation of the two Calvaries gave rise to distinct changes in the local landscape, in which buildings and objects with a religious connotation began to predominate. Settlements were created to cater for the accommodation and reception needs of the pilgrims. What proved crucial for the establishment of Kalwaria Pacławska, apart from the religious motives, was the defence aspect. The monastery, which was situated at the crest of a hill, was to act as a fortress defending the local population and the pilgrims against potential attack by the Tartars or Cossacks. On the other hand, the chief factors at Kalwaria Zebrzydowska were religious. In both centres the cult of the Blessed Virgin Mary soon appeared alongside the original devotion to the Passion of Christ. A miraculous picture of the Madonna was installed at Kalwaria Zebrzydowska in 1641, and at Kalwaria Pacławska in 1679. Alongside the Passion Mysteries at Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, both sanctuaries soon started to organise elaborate festivities for some of the feast days of Our Lady, especially for the Assumption (15th August). For a long time (practically right up to the Second World War) Kalwaria Pacławska also served as one of the main pilgrimage centres in Poland for Uniate (Eastern Rite) Catholics.

Peregrinus Cracoviensis, 1995, z.2, s. 113-123.

Instytut Geografii i Gospodarki Przestrzennej UJ

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