Religious tourism at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sorrows, Queen of Poland at Kałków-Godów

The purpose of the study was an analysis of pilgrimmages to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sorrows, Queen of Poland, at Kalków-Godów ( east of the city of Kielce ) in 2005 – 2011, both that of individual tourists and organized groups. An analysis of the structure of tourist traffic concerns the place of their residence. The authors describe the history of this sanctuary and some elements influencing its attractiveness. This is the newest center of the Marian devotion in Poland consisting of various buildings, chapels, figures, and the Way of the Cross stations. The monumental building of the Świętokrzyska Golgotha, Pantheon of the Polish Nation’s Martyrology, is a 33-meter-high structure topped by a 15-meter-tall wooden cross. The altar of the church includes a miraculous picture of Our Lady, a copy of the famous picture of Our Lady of Licheń. The number of tourists visiting the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sorrows at Kalków – Godów has declined in recent years ( 950,000 in 2005 ; 600,000 in 2011 ). The largest number of pilgrims, among organized groups who came to the shrine in 2011, were inhabitants of the Radom Diocese ( more than 18,000 ).

The purpose of the study was an analysis of pilgrimmages to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sorrows, Queen of Poland, at Kalków-Godów ( east of the city of Kielce ) in 2005 – 2011, both that of individual tourists and organized groups. An analysis of the structure of tourist traffic concerns the place of their residence. The authors describe the history of this sanctuary and some elements influencing its attractiveness. This is the newest center of the Marian devotion in Poland consisting of various buildings, chapels, figures, and the Way of the Cross stations. The monumental building of the Świętokrzyska Golgotha, Pantheon of the Polish Nation’s Martyrology, is a 33-meter-high structure topped by a 15-meter-tall wooden cross. The altar of the church includes a miraculous picture of Our Lady, a copy of the famous picture of Our Lady of Licheń. The number of tourists visiting the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sorrows at Kalków – Godów has declined in recent years ( 950,000 in 2005 ; 600,000 in 2011 ). The largest number of pilgrims, among organized groups who came to the shrine in 2011, were inhabitants of the Radom Diocese ( more than 18,000 ).