Bielany – Camino de Santiago and Sanctuary

• The 13th stage of the Camino de Santiago in Lesser Poland begins at the Sanctuary of the Suffering Christ.
• The Baroque altarpiece contains an image of Christ scourged and crowned with thorns, painted on canvas by an unknown artist in 1702–1703.
• A bell dating from 1513 hangs in the sanctuary tower.
• Two similar roadside shrine chapels stand in a line along the main road on the Kęty–Oświęcim route in Bielany, about 13 metres apart.
• Many worshippers attend the indulgence celebrations on 3 May, 14 May, Pentecost and 14 September.

The stage information is especially useful if you are considering Bielany in connection with the Camino de Santiago in Lesser Poland: the route begins at the Sanctuary of the Suffering Christ. The number 13 refers to a specific section of the route. If you are interested in the Camino, this starting point is a clear landmark; if your focus is religious art, the altarpiece and bell offer other ways to explore the sanctuary.

This makes it possible to plan your visit around your own interests without conflating the different themes. The Camino connection leads to the start of a named stage, while the artworks and indulgence celebrations highlight the religious character of the site.

The image in the Baroque altarpiece depicts Christ scourged and crowned with thorns. It was painted on canvas between 1702 and 1703; the artist is unknown. The subject, medium and date provide three specific points of reference: the subject identifies the Christ depicted, the canvas is the support, and the dates indicate when it was created. This connects a religious theme with a precisely dated work of art for culture-minded travellers.

The bell in the tower also bears a date: it is from 1513. Together with the painting’s date, this allows a comparison between two objects in the sanctuary. The bell is dated to the earlier year, while the image was created in 1702–1703. Their different functions and dates distinguish these two examples of religious culture.

The two roadside shrine chapels stand in a line along the main road on the Kęty–Oświęcim route and are very similar to one another. They are about 13 metres apart. Their images set them apart: one contains an image of Our Lady of Częstochowa, the other an image of Saint Florian. Together, they illustrate the contrast between similar designs and different religious subjects.

The chapels offer a different perspective from the sanctuary: the focus here is on two similar roadside shrines standing close together, each with a different image. Visitors who want to compare religious depictions can consider this distinction, alongside the image of Christ in the altarpiece, as a separate focus for their trip to Bielany.

Many worshippers attend the indulgence celebrations on 3 May, 14 May, Pentecost and 14 September. These dates give your plans a specific religious focus if you would like to visit Bielany in connection with one of the celebrations. If you are planning your trip around a celebration, check the exact date for the relevant year.

These attractions offer different reasons to include Bielany in your travel plans: the start of the 13th Camino stage, the Baroque image of Christ, the dated bell, the two roadside shrine chapels or the indulgence celebrations. If you are looking for a hotel in Bielany, you can first decide which of these reasons matters most for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Brzeszcze, Łęki, Nowa Wieś, Zator, Kęty, Jawiszowice, Grojec, Skidzin.

Where does the 13th stage of the Camino de Santiago in Lesser Poland begin?

It begins at the Sanctuary of the Suffering Christ in Bielany.

What is depicted in the altarpiece in the sanctuary?

The image shows Christ scourged and crowned with thorns. It was painted on canvas between 1702 and 1703 by an unknown artist.

When are the indulgence celebrations held at the sanctuary?

Many worshippers attend the indulgence celebrations on 3 May, 14 May, Pentecost and 14 September.

See the overview of the wider area: Auschwitz.