Kalwaria Zebrzydowska is one of Poland's most extraordinary religious and landscape treasures — a UNESCO World Heritage Site that locals and visitors alike call the 'Polish Jerusalem'. Spread across a hillside in the Beskid foothills, it combines a magnificent Baroque basilica with 42 chapels and churches scattered across 6 km² of beautiful countryside.

The heart of the complex is the Bernardine monastery and basilica perched on Żar Hill, just south of the town centre. From here, pilgrims' trails — the 'Dróżki' — wind through forests and meadows, connecting chapels built to mirror the holy sites of Jerusalem. Each season brings its own magic: spring greenery frames the chapels in fresh colour, autumn turns the surrounding forests golden, and winter gives the whole place an austere, contemplative beauty. The Beskid mountain views along the trails are a lovely bonus for any visitor.

• Kalwaria Zebrzydowska town centre (parking near the monastery) — the pilgrims' trails are signposted at each chapel; total trail length approx. 5 km; difficulty: easy to moderate
• The Way of Christ (28 stations) and the Way of Our Lady (24 stations) can be walked separately or combined into a longer route

• The sanctuary is open year-round; free admission
• A Pilgrim House offering accommodation and a restaurant are available on site
• The Holy Week Passion Mystery plays draw up to 1.5 million visitors annually — a truly spectacular event
• The August Feast of the Assumption is another major celebration worth planning around

Founded in 1600 by Mikołaj Zebrzydowski and declared a Monument of Polish History in 2000, this is a place where centuries of faith, art and landscape come together in a way that moves even the most secular of visitors.