Very Bright Summit

The Jasna Góra Monastery in Częstochowa, Poland was founded in 1382. It’s the most important place of worship of Virgin Mary in Poland and one of the most important in the world. For hundreds of years it has been a pilgrimage destination. Nowadays, nearly 4 millions of pilgrims come from 74 countries across the world. Since the start, walking pilgrimages were the most popular ones. This tradition dates back to the Middle Ages. It is also a tradition that people of the same occupation, like miners, firefighters or farmers, pilgrimage together. The Monastery’s biggest treasure is the miraculous icon of the Virgin Marry, which origin is shrouded in mystery. It shows the Mother of God with Child Jesus on her left arm. The picture is placed in a chapel called the Chapel of Our Lady. On its walls one will find thanksgiving votives and gifts offered to the Madonna by pilgrims and visitors. The whole Monastery stands on a hill, called the Bright Mount (in Polish, Jasna Góra). The place is commonly thought to be the spiritual capital of Poland.​​​​​​​