In the eighties of 19th century, two pilgrims of different social status, education and wealth went to the Holy Land. They were Adam Sierakowski, a count from Waplewo, and Paweł Orzechowski from Warsaw. The accounts of the journeys are the source material for the article. In the spell of a year, both pilgrims visited the same holy places, taking part in liturgical ceremonies. Differences in social background, wealth and education influenced their perception of Jerusalem. In his descriptions, Sierakowski made historical remarks, which Orzechowski could not have known. The pilgrims had different attitude to Jews and Arabs they met in the Holy Land: Sierakowski received them through the prism of classical racial stereotypes, while Orzechowski related to all religious people with sympathy. Both pilgrims, however, treated the holy places with the same respect. Sierakowski and Orzechowski were dedicated Catholics, that is why the emotional holy mass in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre was the most important part of their pilgrimages. The published accounts of their pilgrimages fit into the whole literature slowly flourishing in Polish lands of 2nd half of 19th century, literature popularising pilgrimages to Jerusalem.

In the eighties of 19th century, two pilgrims of different social status, education and wealth went to the Holy Land. They were Adam Sierakowski, a count from Waplewo, and Paweł Orzechowski from Warsaw. The accounts of the journeys are the source material for the article. In the spell of a year, both pilgrims visited the same holy places, taking part in liturgical ceremonies. Differences in social background, wealth and education influenced their perception of Jerusalem. In his descriptions, Sierakowski made historical remarks, which Orzechowski could not have known. The pilgrims had different attitude to Jews and Arabs they met in the Holy Land: Sierakowski received them through the prism of classical racial stereotypes, while Orzechowski related to all religious people with sympathy. Both pilgrims, however, treated the holy places with the same respect. Sierakowski and Orzechowski were dedicated Catholics, that is why the emotional holy mass in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre was the most important part of their pilgrimages. The published accounts of their pilgrimages fit into the whole literature slowly flourishing in Polish lands of 2nd half of 19th century, literature popularising pilgrimages to Jerusalem.