Perspektywy rozwoju Kalwarii Zebrzydowskiej jako ośrodka pielgrzymkowego

Perspectives on developing Kalwaria Zebrzydowska as a pilgrimage centre

Summary: Kalwaria Zebrzydowska is one of those places whose attractiveness is determined both by their natural qualities as by the charm and uniqueness of their architecture and cultural values. In Kalwaria's case there is the added feature of a rare spiritual atmosphere connected with the town's nature as a pilgrimage centre. Throughout its four centuries of existence the Shrine administered by the Observantine Franciscan Fathers has provided the town's public and cultural focus, effecting a far-reaching influence on its spatial layout, its development trends, and on the lifestyle of its inhabitants. It was not long before the settlement founded around the Observantine Priory and 'Calvary' religious centre (1602-1604) grew into a thriving town endowed with an urban charter. Alongside catering for the flow of pilgrims, its inhabitants busied themselves with trade and craftsmanship (chiefly carpentry). Soon Kalwaria became the second largest centre for pilgrimage in the country after Jasna Góra at Częstochowa, and has kept that status ever since. The neighbourhood of Kalwaria is currently a densely populated area with a fairly good level of investment in the sołectwa. Kalwaria is a local administrative and commercial centre. The contemporary forms of craftsmanship consist chiefly of furniture-making (centuries of local traditions, as one of Poland's chief historic centres for this industry), and the manufacture of boots and shoes. But the Borough authorities are concentrating attention and efforts on the establishment of a suitable infrastructure for the reception of latter-day pilgrims and tourists, who visit Kalwaria every year in numbers up to 600,000. The pilgrims come all year round, although there is a distinct peak of season in the summer months. Another busy time is in Holy Week for the Passion Mysteries, with a second crest in August for the Feast of the Assumption and the ceremony of 'Our Lady's Funeral'. The numbers, which are growing each year, show that the compilation of a comprehensive development project for the entire range of tourist and associated services involving accommodation and catering, shopping facilities, transport and access, and technical amenities, is an absolute imperative. A scheme has already been made for the town's development. The primary objective in this plan is the protection of the natural environment and cultural landscape. Thus the Borough authorities have made a decision to support a project for the establishment of the Wadowicki-Kalwaryjski Park Krajobrazowy - the Wadowice and Kalwaria Landscape Park, which is to secure the preservation of the 'Calvary Landscape'. An important aspect of this scheme will be the development of the transport and communications system, especially the building of a by-pass. Finally the scheme envisages the development of the hotel and accommodation infrastructure to offer facilities covering a wide range of standards, from the hotels, pensions, and holiday houses to the camping sites. There is also a plan to set up a convalescence and sports centre at Kalwaria, with a possibility of combining this facility with the opportunity to make a religious retreat or spiritual renewal at the same time. The achievement of all of these projects will certainly promote the economic growth of the Borough and district, with the concomitant benefits of a lower unemployment rate and a stop to the permanent and seasonal migration of our young people away from Kalwaria to other parts of Poland in search of jobs. The growth of the pilgrimage movement will give the people of Kalwaria an assurance of continuing development intellectually. The Order of the Observatine Franciscans and the local Catholic Seminary will naturally be of paramount importance here, just as the local cultural societies for literature and the arts will also be contributing a significant part.

Peregrinus Cracoviensis, 1995, z.2, s. 59-64.

Instytut Geografii i Gospodarki Przestrzennej UJ

Pełny tekst (7 KB)