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The route of aeries
Once upon a time the king, Kazimierz The Great, decided to create some kind of defensive system in order to protect Polish borders, main trade routs and peopled areas. The ruins we can admire nowadays are the best proof of that. At least a dozen of fortresses were created in Jura Krakowsko Częstochowska to protect the main trade route leading from Cracow to Wielkopolska and finally to the border. The Route of the Aeries leads from Cracow towards Częstochowa and consists of: Wawel, Ojców, Pieskowa Skała, Rabsztyn, Bydlin, Smoleń, Pilica, , Ogrodzieniec, Morsko, Bobolice, Mirów, Olsztyn near Częstochowa and Jasna Góra. Our route includes: Pieskowa Skała Castle: in the first part of XIVth century a new castle was built here by Kazimierz The Great. The castle consists of two parts, upper and lower. The upper part has been damaged and it was located on an unavailable rock called "Dorotka". The interiors are used to present an exhibition which is a kind of display connected with changes in European art since the middle ages up to the XIX century. Nearby we can find a famous calcareous rock called Hercules’ cudgel. Ogrodzieniec (Podzamcze): we’ll see the ruins of medieval castle built in XIVth and XVth centuries. Częstochowa: the complex of buildings which belongs to the monastery of Paulite in Częstochowa is one of the most important places connected with a cult of Mary in this part of Europe. On Jasna Góra there is an icon of the Black Madonna with a Child which is thought to be miraculous. For Polish people this place seems to be so important because of the fact that the Virgin Mary is viewed in this country as its queen. For many years Jasna Góra has been a center for pilgrims from all over the world. The monastery was set up in 1382 when the prince, Władysław Opolczyk, brought monks from Hungary and established the monastery. Two years later the icon has been brought in there from Russia (according to the oldest records the icon was painted by St. Lucas on the table top that was used in the Last Supper). Buildings belonging to the monastery and those of the church were built in different periods of time. The oldest ones, basilica, presbytery and sacristy were built in XV, and the newest ones in XIX. We’ll se: The statue of John Paul II Basilica which is a sample of baroque architecture created in years 1692 - 1695 and 1706 – 1728. The vault of the nave and a presbytery is covered with frescos painted by Karol Dankwart at the end of XVIIth century. The high altar, which presents the Assumption of Mary, is a wonderful old-baroque work (1725 - 1728) formed according to the project by Jakub Antoni Buzzini. Three chapels are adjoined the aisle on the right side of the basilica: St. Paul’s the first eremite (which is also called the chapel of the Denhoffs), and a two-level chapel - of Jesus’ Heart (upper) and holy Relics (down). All the chapels are from XVIIth century. The chapel of the Miraculous Icon - since it was brought to the chapel it has always been decorated, which has become some kind of a custom. At first valuable jewellery was attached directly to the board of the picture. After the restoration in 1430 it was adorned both with golden and silver plates and crowns. Since the middle of XVIIth century the painting has also been dressed in clothes made of precious materials. The Treasury - the oldest pieces come from XIVth century. Among the pieces of a great artistic value like for example: chalices and jewellery - there are many others which are precious because of their memorial and sentimental values for example gifts from the prisoners of concentration camps. You can see a sample from Jasna Góra live: http://83.16.19.90/kamera2.html
Departure from Cracow: 8:00 a.m. Return to Cracow: about 9:00 p.m. Price: 350 PLN Additional information: the price includes a cost of the journey, entrance charges, insurance and a guide. Bringing customers from and back to the hotel. (Refers to the hotels in Cracow) There is a luchbreak predicted - costs of the lunch covered by participiants.
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