Krakow - the actual destination

Krakow is the old town, not destroyed in the war, 1000 years of Polish history, connections to Germany, the largest market place in Europe, the secret capital of Poland, a young city with 140,000 students, endless tourists.

But Krakow is also Sister Faustina Kowalska, whose visions gave rise to the image of Jesus' mercy. These visions and their message prompted Pope John Paul II to declare the first Sunday after Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday. In addition to the monastery and chapel (with the relics of Saint Faustina), the Divine Mercy Center has developed with a guesthouse, restaurant and huge basilica, where four holy masses are celebrated daily and confessions are heard. Next to the basilica is a small chapel where adoration takes place continuously. It is absolutely impressive to see how many people - young and old - visit this place. The Divine Mercy Center welcomes 2 million pilgrims every year.

The message of God's mercy can be a help especially for people today who are looking for salvation through their own efforts.

Krakow is the place where a certain Karol Wojtila, born 50 km away in Wadowice, studied, found his calling, was ordained a priest, appointed professor, consecrated bishop and made cardinal, resisted the Nazis during the war and the communists after the war. Many believe that his appointment as the first Polish pope and his work were a key reason for the collapse of communism. In Krakow, you encounter him practically at every turn. The John Paul II Centre in the Lagiewniki district is particularly impressive. A complex inaugurated in 2013 with a two-story church (new architecture can also be beautiful) in which the relics of the canonized man are kept and his tomb is reproduced in St. Peter's Basilica. There is also a meeting and guest house, a restaurant and a museum with two exhibitions: one about the life of John Paul II and one about the Shroud of Turin, which is only documented in Polish but was "readable" for us thanks to Google Lens. Very impressive, as it offers an overview of the current state of research and an intensive visualization of the suffering and death of Jesus Christ.

This center is within sight of the Divine Mercy Center. In between there is a park. This was used for World Youth Day in 2016, for example.

In the south of Krakow, just 5 km from the center, there is an oasis of prayer. For my wife and me, this was the actual goal of our tour of Poland.

When are you coming to Krakow? (It doesn't have to be by bike.)

And in Krakow there is also a Regnum Christi Apostles' House - in the middle of the city, as a meeting place for young and old, with its own chapel.