Things to see and do Częstochowa

Located on a limestone hill overlooking the city, the monastery was founded in 1382 by Ladislaus II, Duke of Opole, for the Pauline friars who, in 1384, received the icon of the Black Madonna. Fortified in the first part of the 17th century, the monastery successfully withstood several sieges, including the Swedish one in 1655. In the 19th century, Tsar Alexander^I ordered the destruction of part of the fortifications. What remains is a square enclosure with bastions where the buildings are grouped in a compact way. From the top of the bell tower (106 meters, open from April to November), erected in 1620-1644, then enlarged in the second half of the seventeenth century, one can enjoy a beautiful view of the entire site, as well as the rest of the city.

Chapel of the Miraculous Icon (Kaplica Cudownego Obrazu). This small Gothic chapel, with walls covered with ex-voto, houses the icon of the Black Madonna. Embedded in a baroque ebony altar, this tiny icon is constantly surrounded by a crowd of believers. The stones and fabrics that adorn it were donated by pilgrims.

Basilica (Bazylika). The basilica was built in the 15th to 17th centuries in a very luxurious baroque style. You will notice an impressive number of references to religious people deported to Auschwitz.

Knights' Hall (Sala Rycerska). Dating from 1647, you will see 9 paintings representing the major stages in the life of the monastery, as well as a reproduction of the icon of the Black Madonna.

Museum of the 600th anniversary (Muzeum Szescsetlecia). It presents a superb collection of sacred art objects, beautiful religious paintings and musical instruments. It was established in the former printing house, which was suppressed by the Russians in 1864.

Treasure Room (Skarbiec). Impressive collection of the most valuable ex-voto and pilgrims' offerings to the Virgin of Częstochowa, assembled since the 15th century.

Arsenal (Arsenał). Weapons and war trophies evoke the military history of the monastery and the sieges it has supported throughout its history

In the sanctuary, there is also a library with more than 8,000 volumes, including a large number of precious manuscripts. Access is restricted to researchers only. Finally, in the park that surrounds the monastery, you will stop in front of the 14 bronze statues of the Way of the Cross, founded in 1900-1913. Leaving the monastery on Barbary Street, you will find yourself in the middle of a market of religious souvenirs that offer portraits of the Pope, plastic virgins and other objects.

In operation since 1905, this museum is Częstochowa's main cultural institution. It features a rich collection of Polish art, including paintings, sacred and folk art, natural history, weapons and an archaeological section. Exhibitions are housed in several buildings:

The Ratusz (Al. Najświętszej Maryi Panny 45a, ✆ +48 34 366 80 50) offers perhaps the most interesting part for a foreign visitor. Built in neoclassical style in 1826, it has housed an exhibition tracing the city's history since 1967.

The pavilions in the Stanisław Staszic Park (Park im. S. Staszica) were built in 1909 for the National Exhibition of Industry and Agriculture and house an ethnographic exhibition, a peasant house built for the same exhibition and a museum on iron mining.

The Archaeological Reserve (ul. Łukasińskiego 20, ✆ +48 34 323 19 51) presents a collection unique in Poland on the funerary culture present in the Lusatian region.

The Pilgrimage Museum (Al. Najświętszej Maryi Panny 47, ✆ +48 34 368 21 64) presents an exhibition on the tradition of pilgrimage to Jasna Góra.

The House of Poetry, also known as the Halina Poświatowska Museum (ul. Jasnogórska 23, ✆ + 48 34 368 16 17), is dedicated to the life and work of this Polish poet. Literary meetings are organized here.

Finally, the exhibition at the Art Gallery (ul. Katedralna 8, ✆ +48 34 324 99 93) includes paintings and sculptures from the Młoda Polska artistic movement.