Czestochowa Things to Do

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According to "legend" it was painted by St. Luke on a piece of wood from the house of the Holy Family in Nazareth, but very possibly it has been painted in Byzantium in the sixth century. The black colour comes from the dark tones used by the painter and the fact that it has been darkened over the years by the effects of smoke and incense.
The first miracle of the Black Madonna it was when somebody wanted to take it and they were not able, because the weight increased more and more , so frustrated they slashed the Virgin face , that can still be seen and they started to blood . From this moment the Virgin has performed many miracles, some protecting the walls that protected the temple of invaders , like Swedes and it has been a symbol of union of the Polish people
The picture of the Virgin you only can see his hands, his face and the child and the rest is "dressed" with different clothes donated by people
The Virgin is in a chapel in which is usually protected by a screen that opens tree times a day , announced with a trumpet, which makes more exciting the moment when it is opened the curtain and every body may see the image

Según la"leyenda" fue pintada por San Lucas en un trozo de madera de la casa de la Sagrada Familia en Nazaret , aunque muy posiblemente la hayan pintado en Bizancio en el siglo VI . El color negro proviene de los tonos oscuros del pintor y del hecho de que se ha ido oscureciendo con los años por los efectos del humo y del incienso .
El primer milagro que hizo la Virgen Negra fue cuando se la querían llevar y no fueron capaces , pues cada vez aumentaba más su peso , así que despechados le dieron dos cuchilladas que todavía se pueden ver . A partir de aquí la Virgen ha hecho muchos milagros , algunos protegiendo las murallas que la protegían , de invasores suecos y ha sido un gran símbolo de unión del pueblo Polaco
Del cuadro de la Vírgen sólo se ven sus manos , su cara y la del niño ya que el resto lo "visten" con diferentes trajes donados por la gente
La Virgen está en una capilla en la que normalmente está protegida con una pantalla y se abre tres veces al día , anunciado con un toque de trompeta ,que hace la apertura más emocionante se abre la cortina para que todo el mundo pueda ver la imágen

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When you arrive by bus from Krakow, you have to cross the city center until you get to Zchestokowa NMP Avenue (Avenue of the Virgin Mary), from which you can view the Jasna Gora towers
Strolling along the boulevards surrounded by chestnut trees leads to the places where great ceremonies are held and the processional "Via Crucis
The memories of John Paul II and Cardinal Wizinski are very present

Cuando llegas en autobús desde Cracovia , tienes que cruzar el centro de zchestokowa hasta que llegas al avenida NMP ( Avenida de la Virgen María ), desde la que se pueden ver ya las torres de Jasna Gora
Paseando por los bulevares rodeados de castaños se llega a las plazas donde se celebran las grandes ceremonias y el viacrucis pocesional
Las recuerdos de Juan Pablo II y del Cardenal Wizinski están muy presentes

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The Chapel with the Black Madonna is located inside the Jasna Gora monastery fortress. The icon is usually on display inside the chapel, although it is covered with a sliver screen at night and from noon till 13:30. It is also possible to walk behind the icon, however this can be difficult because there are always crowds inside the chapel and in the pilgrim "season" you will need a minor miracle to get close to the iconic painting.

The origin of the painting itself is not know. The picture has a seeming similarity to Byzantine icons, and it was given to the paulite order in the 1380 ties after being brought to Czestochowa from Ruthenia.

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The monastery on Jasna Gora (Bright Mountain) is dominates the inner part of Czestochowa. The monastery was founded in the 1380 by paulite monks that came to the area from Hungary (the painting of the Black Madonna being given to the order shortly after the founding of the monastery). The monastery has been expanded several times in the following centuries which can readily be seen on the different buildings when inside the walls.

Located around the outside walls of the Jasna Gora Monastery are large statues representing the stations of the cross. On any given day, you will see large groups of pilgrims (usually a parish) assembled near one of these statues as they do the Stations of the Cross. If you desire, you can do the stations of the cross by yourself by just walking around the walls of the monastery.

The treasury displays a wide variety of objects that have been donated to the Jasna Gora Monastery over the centuries by people from around the world. The collection is priceless, and includes a dazzling variety of religious artifacts (chalices, monstrances, rosaries, crucifixes, etc.), jewelry (rings, etc.), and other artistic objects.

The Chapel of the Virgin is the chapel that houses the Black Madonna, the Jasna Gora Monastery's pricelss icon. Each day, masses are celebrated continuously the Chapel of the Virgin by priests who have led their congregations to Czestochowa on pilgrimages. Unfortunately, no photographs were allowed in the chapel, so we have no pictures of it to post here on Virtual Tourist.

The Jasna Gora Monastery was established in 1382 by Prince Wladyslaw of Opole, who invited Paulist monks from Hungary to reside there. It is one of the world's greatest places of pilgrimage and has drawn the faithful over the past six centuries, where troupes of pilgrams from all over the world break out into hymns as they shuffle between the stations of the cross. Excited teenagers flock to the religious festivals treating the event(s) like a rock concert.

Even enemies that have laid siege on Jasna Gora were unable to destroy it.