Deutsch-Piekarn

• The men’s pilgrimage in Piekary Śląskie has taken place continuously since 1947 on the last Sunday in May.
• Local landscape highlights include Kocie Górki and Winna Góra in Kozłowa Góra.
• MOSiR Piekary Śląskie includes sports and leisure facilities such as a swimming pool, an ice rink, tennis courts and playgrounds.
• The Sanctuary Museum explores the history of Marian devotion and displays selected exhibits from the chapels of Kalwaria.

Kocie Górki is one of the interesting landscape areas in Piekary Śląskie. Its distinctive features include numerous hills and rises, small ponds and rock outcrops. Winna Góra in Kozłowa Góra, a district of Piekary Śląskie, offers a different view of the landscape: from there, you can see extensive farmland, a panorama of the Świerklaniec Reservoir and nearby hill ranges.

Nearby lies Żabie Doły, a protected natural and landscape complex in Chorzów and Bytom, on the border with Piekary Śląskie. The area is home to at least 129 breeding bird species, including at least 17 species that are rare in Upper Silesia. This offers a range of natural interests, from hills, ponds and rock outcrops to an area with diverse birdlife. The plateau in Piekary Śląskie, with its landforms and cultural and natural assets, has potential for cycling and hiking tourism.

The men’s pilgrimage brings together numerous men and young men. Its fixed date on the last Sunday in May and uninterrupted history since 1947 make it an important part of the town’s religious tradition. Kalwaria is also connected with the history of pilgrimage: on December 31, 1854, a plan for a Calvary as a pilgrimage site was announced on Cerekwica Hill. Under parish priest Bernard Purkop, the project took concrete shape between 1862 and 1882.

The Sanctuary Museum has three exhibition rooms. One is devoted to the history of Marian devotion and the image of Our Lady of Piekary; another displays mementos of Cardinal Karol Wojtyła’s presence in Piekary. The third room presents selected exhibits from the chapels of Kalwaria. The museum opened to pilgrims and parishioners on September 12, 2009. The territory of Piekary Śląskie is also home to one of the most interesting and oldest sections of the Obszar Warowny „Śląsk“ fortification line.

MOSiR Piekary Śląskie offers various ways to include sports and leisure in your travel plans: its facilities include a swimming pool, an ice rink, tennis courts, multi-purpose sports courts, a skatepark and playgrounds. Its leisure programs are for children, teenagers and adults, and encourage people to pursue their interests, stay active and enjoy a sense of community. After the major renovation in summer 2014, an observation telescope, a playground, walking paths and a mini-gym were added at Kopiec Wyzwolenia. The hill became a place for walks and recreational outings for city residents.

The experiences described also include outings focused on nature or geology. On a city excursion to the northern parts of Piekary Śląskie, participants discovered an impressive section of the Brynica Valley, with a river gorge and Bekasowa Łąka. A walking excursion organized in September under the title “Po dnie triasowego morza” explored the city’s geological and geomorphological features.

To compare other destinations, you can also explore Jaworzno, Siemianowice, Wodzisław, Rybnik, Żywiec, Myszków and Zabrze. Find information about Piekary Śląskie at Piekary Śląskie.

When does the men’s pilgrimage take place?

It has taken place continuously since 1947 on the last Sunday in May.

What topics does the Sanctuary Museum cover?

The three exhibition rooms cover Marian devotion and the image of Our Lady of Piekary, mementos of Cardinal Karol Wojtyła in Piekary, and selected exhibits from the chapels of Kalwaria.

What landscape features can you find in Piekary Śląskie?

The features mentioned include hills and rises, small ponds, rock outcrops, farmland and nearby hill ranges.

For the broader travel overview: Silesia.