A blind man named Jan knelt in a field near this Silesian village in 1218, praying before a wooden statue of the Virgin he had carved himself. According to tradition, his sight was suddenly restored—and so began seven centuries of pilgrimage to what would become known as the "Silesian Jerusalem." The grateful crowds built a chapel, then a church, then the magnificent Baroque basilica that now rises above the Kłodzko Valley, its monumental staircase of 33 steps (one for each year of Christ's life) leading pilgrims up to the miraculous image.
Wambierzyce today presents one of Poland's most striking sacred landscapes. The village of barely 900 souls hosts a basilica that rivals any urban cathedral, surrounded by Calvary chapels scattered across the wooded hills. Baroque statuary lines the streets; the grand stairway creates a theatrical approach worthy of Rome. Yet the atmosphere remains intimate, rooted in the faith of Silesian peasants who walked these paths for generations.
The miraculous statue—Matka Boża Wambierzycka, Our Lady of Wambierzyce—stands just 28 centimeters tall, carved from lime wood and darkened by centuries of candle smoke and devotion. Crowned in 1936 by Cardinal August Hlond, she draws hundreds of thousands of pilgrims annually to this remote corner of the Sudeten Mountains.
📜 History & Spiritual Significance
The origins of Wambierzyce's sanctity trace to that moment in 1218 when Jan the blind man received his sight. The carved Madonna he had made became an object of local veneration, drawing the faithful from surrounding villages. The first chapel appeared shortly after; by the fourteenth century, a stone church had been constructed.
The shrine's growth accelerated under Habsburg patronage in the seventeenth century. Count Daniel Osterberg, owner of the Wambierzyce estate, commissioned the current basilica between 1695 and 1710. The architect, Johann Leonhard Fischer, designed a structure that combined pilgrimage practicalities with Baroque drama: the grand staircase, the theatrical facade, the processional spaces that could accommodate thousands.
The Calvary complex developed simultaneously. Throughout the eighteenth century, Count Osterberg and his successors commissioned over 130 chapels, stations, and sculptural groups depicting scenes from Christ's Passion and the life of Mary. The chapel of the Holy Sepulchre reproduces (in miniature) the Jerusalem original; the Chapel of the Holy Stairs replicates Rome's Scala Santa. Pilgrims could "visit" the holy places without leaving Silesia.
Wambierzyce survived the upheavals of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries—secularization, world wars, the expulsion of the German population, and communist persecution. The shrine's status was confirmed in 1936 when the Marian image received pontifical coronation. Pope John Paul II, who visited as Archbishop of Kraków, spoke of Wambierzyce's importance for preserving Catholic faith in Silesia.
Today, the shrine is administered by the Diocese of Świdnica. The traditional September pilgrimage remains the annual highlight, drawing tens of thousands. The baroque complex has been designated a historic monument and continues to receive restoration funding from Polish and European sources.
☩ Pilgrimage Sites in Wambierzyce
Basilica of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Bazylika Nawiedzenia Najświętszej Maryi Panny
The basilica dominates Wambierzyce with its twin towers and monumental facade. The interior features a Baroque high altar framing the miraculous statue, surrounded by gilt ornamentation and votive offerings accumulated over centuries. Side chapels honor various saints and contain notable artwork from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
The miraculous image—the 28-centimeter lime wood Madonna—occupies the central niche of the main altar. During major feasts, the image is unveiled with ceremony and processed through the basilica and village. Pilgrims may approach for veneration at designated times.
The crypt contains the tombs of the Osterberg family and other benefactors. The basilica treasury displays liturgical objects, vestments, and votive gifts offered by pilgrims over the centuries.
Grand Staircase
Wielkie Schody
The monumental staircase leading to the basilica consists of 33 stone steps—one for each year of Christ's earthly life. Pilgrims traditionally ascend on their knees, praying at each step. The staircase is flanked by baroque statuary and provides a dramatic processional approach.
Calvary Complex
The hillsides surrounding Wambierzyce contain over 130 chapels, stations, and sculptural groups forming an extensive Calvary. The route encompasses scenes from Christ's Passion, the life of Mary, and various devotional themes. Walking the entire circuit requires several hours; guided tours are available.
Key stations include:
- Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre (replica of Jerusalem tomb)
- Chapel of the Holy Stairs (Scala Santa, replica of Pilate's staircase)
- Garden of Gethsemane (life-size sculptural group)
- Chapel of the Ascension (hilltop site with panoramic views)
Chapel of St. Anne
Kaplica św. Anny
This baroque chapel, located in the village center, predates the current basilica and preserves earlier pilgrimage traditions. The interior contains notable seventeenth-century artwork and serves as an overflow space during major pilgrimages.
🕯️ Annual Feast Days & Celebrations
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary — September 8
The principal feast of Wambierzyce draws the largest crowds. The celebration begins with a vigil on September 7 and continues through the octave. Pilgrims walk from surrounding parishes, some covering distances of 50 kilometers or more. Outdoor Masses, processions through the Calvary, and all-night adoration mark the feast.
Assumption of Mary — August 15
The summer Marian feast draws thousands for outdoor liturgies and traditional celebrations. The cooler mountain air makes this an especially pleasant pilgrimage season.
Visitation of Mary — May 31
The patronal feast of the basilica is celebrated with particular solemnity, emphasizing Mary's visit to Elizabeth as model of Christian service.
Corpus Christi
The Eucharistic procession winds through Wambierzyce's streets and into the Calvary complex, with altars decorated at key stations. The baroque setting provides an ideal backdrop for this most theatrical of Catholic feasts.
🛏️ Where to Stay
Dom Pielgrzyma Wambierzyce (pilgrim accommodation) — The shrine operates a pilgrim house with simple rooms near the basilica. Meals available; priority given to organized pilgrimage groups. Contact the parish office for reservations. Website
Hotel & Restauracja Nowy Ratusz (hotel) — Family-run hotel in Wambierzyce village offering comfortable rooms and traditional Silesian cuisine. Walking distance to all pilgrimage sites. Reserve this hotel
Pensjonat Pod Lipą (guesthouse) — Cozy guesthouse with garden, breakfast included. Popular with families and smaller groups.
Polanica-Zdrój Hotels — The spa town of Polanica-Zdrój (15 km) offers more extensive accommodation options for those preferring resort amenities.
🚗 Getting There
By Air: Wrocław Copernicus Airport (WRO) is approximately 100 km north. Prague Václav Havel Airport (PRG) is approximately 150 km southwest via the Czech Republic.
By Train: The nearest railway station is Kłodzko (20 km), with connections to Wrocław (approximately 2 hours). From Kłodzko, local buses serve Wambierzyce.
By Bus: Buses connect Wambierzyce to Kłodzko, Polanica-Zdrój, and regional centers. Service increases during pilgrimage seasons.
By Car: From Wrocław, take Route 8 south through Kłodzko (approximately 100 km, 1.5 hours). From Prague, cross at Nachod/Kudowa-Zdrój and follow local roads (approximately 150 km, 2.5 hours). Parking is available in the village.
On Foot: Traditional pilgrimage routes connect Wambierzyce with parishes throughout the Kłodzko Valley. The most popular route from Kłodzko (20 km) takes approximately 5-6 hours.
📚 Further Reading
Books:
Hugo Weczerka, Handbuch der historischen Stätten: Schlesien — German-language reference covering Silesian pilgrimage sites including Wambierzyce.
Norman Davies and Roger Moorhouse, Microcosm: A Portrait of a Central European City — Though focused on Wrocław, provides essential Silesian context.
Online Resources:
Wambierzyce Sanctuary — Official shrine website
Catholic Encyclopedia: Pilgrimage — Background on Catholic pilgrimage traditions.
🎥 Recommended Videos
Wambierzyce: Silesian Jerusalem — Documentaries on the shrine and its history.
Aerial Views of Wambierzyce — Drone footage showing the full Calvary complex.
🔗 Useful Links
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Wambierzyce — Mass schedules, pilgrimage planning, and history.
Diocese of Świdnica — Diocesan news and resources.
Kłodzko Valley Tourism — Regional tourism information for the Sudeten area.
🥾 Pilgrim Routes
Traditional Pilgrimage from Kłodzko — The historic route covers 20 km through the valley, passing village churches and wayside shrines. Usually walked on September 7-8.
Transborder Marian Route — Connects Wambierzyce with Czech shrines including Králíky (Mariahilf), creating an international pilgrimage circuit.
Sudeten Pilgrimage Way — Network of paths connecting Marian shrines throughout the Sudeten Mountains on both Polish and Czech sides.
🧭 Nearby Pilgrimage Destinations
Bardo (25 km) — One of Silesia's oldest Marian shrines, with a miraculous image venerated since the medieval period.
Trzebnica (80 km) — Shrine of St. Hedwig of Silesia, with her tomb and relics.
Góra Świętej Anny (120 km) — Franciscan sanctuary on Holy Mountain, one of Poland's most important pilgrimage sites.
Králíky (Czech Republic) (30 km) — Heiligerberg sanctuary with baroque architecture similar to Wambierzyce.
Kłodzko (20 km) — Historic town with Gothic parish church and Jesuit college, worth visiting en route to Wambierzyce.
🪶 Closing Reflection
"How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they never cease to praise you." — Psalm 84:2, 5 (NABRE)
