Wambierzyce — basilica, movable nativity scene, calvary and other popular attractions

One of the most charming places you can visit in the Kłodzko Valley is undoubtedly Wambierzyce. The attractions that await there are impossibly numerous, and their diversity means that everyone who visits this atmospheric town will find something they like there.

Where are the Wambierzyce?

Wambierzyce is a small village located near Radków, in the Kłodzko County. Dusznik-Zdrój is less than half an hour away by car. It is surrounded by three hills. What's more, at first glance it doesn't seem very impressive — it's just one main street, from which further, smaller roads depart. Therefore, it is hard to believe that this is not only an interesting tourist attraction, but also an important pilgrimage center, even called Silesian Jerusalem. What do Wambierzyce have to offer? Visiting this village will certainly be rewarding. Moreover, there is also no shortage of interesting monuments in the area.

What is the easiest way to get to Wambierzyce? Access is quite convenient — through the eastern part of the village there is provincial road no. 388 connecting Bystrzyca Kłodzka with Ratno Dolny. In turn, its western section is based on the Table Mountains National Park.

The accommodation base is also extended. Tourists are waiting for accommodation in cottages, agritourism farms and guest houses, such as “U Bacy” or “Spruce Hill”. Wambierzyce also has great gastronomic facilities. You can eat deliciously in the restaurant at the Holy Family Pilgrim's House, which is located right next to the shrine.

What is interesting about Wambierzyce?

In the case of Wambierzyce, attractions await practically every step, attracting pilgrims and tourists from all over the country.

Basilica of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Basilica of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a well-known Marian shrine. According to the claims, it stands in the place where the statue of Our Lady and Child, famous for its miracles, was previously located. Its author is John of Ratno, to whom at the beginning of the 13th century Mary was revealed holding little Jesus in her hands. After completing the sculpture, the man placed it in an old, powerful linden tree on a hill. The place quickly began to attract pilgrims willing to ask for graces through the Divine Mother. One of them was the blind John of Raszew, who, rising from his knees, fell and hit his head on a linden tree, miraculously regaining his sight. This event made Wambierzyce famous. The basilica, which can be admired now, is already the 4th temple in this place — the earlier ones were either dismantled or destroyed as a result of hostilities. It was built at the beginning of the 18th century. It contains ornate Renaissance and Baroque details, including stately cloisters with stations of the cross, frescoes, and gilded altars. Its unique character is further emphasized by monumental stairs, whose fame goes far beyond Wambierzyce. The shrine was raised to the rank of a minor basilica in 1936, while in 1980, the Primate of Poland Stefan Wyszyński coronated the statue of the Mother of God there, giving it the title of Wambierzycka Queen of Families. The temple can be visited daily at the indicated times.

How many stairs does the Basilica in Wambierzyce have? The sanctuary in Wambierzyce rises high above the square slab, and there are exactly 57 stairs leading to it. This also, combined with the considerable height of the temple itself — it is more than 50 meters — creates an incredible impression, making the complex look even more monumental. Moreover, the number of stairs to the basilica is not accidental.

What does the stairs in Wambierzyce mean? The stairs of the Wambierzyt sanctuary are divided into 3 parts, and each of them has a different symbolic meaning. The first 9 stairs refer to the number of angelic choirs, again another 33 to the age of Jesus at the time of the crucifixion. There are still 15 steps above the first terrace, and these are meant to symbolize the age of Mary at the time of the conception of God's Son.

Nothing is recorded in the tradition of Wambierzyce like the sanctuary. The history of this place is unusual and it is definitely worth getting to know, even being a crossing in the Kłodzko Valley.

Calvary syndrome on the Tabor Mountains, Sinai and Calvary

The ensemble of chapels dedicated to the Passion of the Lord is another reason why you should visit Wambierzyce. Calvary, which is located directly on the basilica on Góra Kalwaria, has a terraced layout. It is crossed by 3 main roads with narrower paths departing perpendicularly. The whole team consists of as many as 79 stations and 14 gates. A cross road from 1732 was also placed on the mountainside. Calvary is located in the shade of vast trees, which creates a unique impression. In addition, it provides an excellent view of the entire Wambierzyce. The monastery and sanctuary seen from Góra Kalwaria look even more spectacular than from the level of the square plate.

Bells on the Hill

What other interesting places do Wambierzyce have to offer? What is worth seeing? Turning left at the last calvary shrine, you can easily walk to 4 deserted, snowy bells of quite large size. They are a gift of the former inhabitants of Wambierzyce of German origin and were to be placed in the bell tower, which unfortunately did not yet have time to be built. The place of placing the bells is an excellent vantage point on Wambierzyce. Tourist attractions that can be seen from there are primarily the sanctuary on one side and the Table Mountains on the other. In the valley flowing below the Cedron River there is again Spruce Hill. Vambierzyki from this perspective look really amazing.

Movable nativity scene

Among the numerous attractions for which Wambierzyce is famous, the nativity scene with moving figures occupies one of the most important places. It is a partially mechanized, full of detail work by watchmaker and sculptor Longin Witting and his son Hermann. It consists of a series of scenes, among which, apart from the birth of Jesus, there are also events related to his life: the slaughter of the innocents, the Holy Family at work, the 12-year-old Jesus in the temple, the Last Supper and the Way of the Cross. They are complemented by the apparition of Mary in Lourdes and generic scenes — a coal mine and folk fun. In total, the entire movable nativity scene in Wambierzyce has as many as 800 characters, of which 300 move. It is worth mentioning that it is the oldest nativity scene of this type in Poland. It can be visited all year round.

Open-Air Museum of Old Equipment

Visitors to Wambierzyce also have other attractions at their disposal. One of them is the Open Air Museum of Old Equipment. This is a private museum founded by Marian Gancarski, a longtime soltys of the village. There you can admire, among others, rich collections of technical monuments (former irons, radios, televisions, etc.), tools and agricultural machinery, craft tools, military, money from different eras, objects of religious worship and everyday objects. The whole consists of several thousand exhibits and is exhibited in 2 buildings and in the open air. Some of the items are post-German memorabilia, but many are also from post-war times.

Mini-zoo

A mini-zoo also operates as part of the same agritourism farm, where the Old Equipment Open Air Museum is located. Wambierzyki can therefore be a big attraction for children as well. Deer, deer, deer, roe deer, wild pigs, goats and nutria live there. In addition, you can admire various types of birds, including ostriches, hawks, or several breeds of chickens, and fish.

Visiting Wambierzyce, the Open Air Museum of Old Equipment or a mini-zoo, you can also take advantage of the offer of a small cafe or a souvenir shop. The agritourism farm also organises bonfires with roasting sausages for organised groups. It is also an accommodation facility — you can find more about accommodation in the Kłodzka Basin here: Accommodation in the Kłodzka Basin. What place to choose for accommodation?

What order is there in Wambierzyce?

Currently, the protection of the temple and ministry in the parish of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is exercised by the Franciscans of the Province of Saint Hedwig of the Order of Friars Minor. Early this function was performed by the Jesuits, but in 1990 they left Wambierzyce. The basilica was then placed in office to diocesan priests. They handed it over to the Franciscans again in 2007.

What to see around Wambierzyc?

Not only Wambierzyce is interesting in terms of tourism. Tourist attractions in the surrounding area are also worth seeing.

Wambierzyce — Chapel of Skulls in Czermna

Located in one of the parts of Kudowy-Zdrój, it is another important religious monument. Filled with thousands of human remains, it serves as an ossuary and at the same time is one of the tourist attractions worth seeing when visiting Wambierzyce. Skulls and bones cover all the walls and ceilings of the chapel, which makes a fulminant impression on all visitors.

Wambierzyce — Castle in Ratno Dolny

It is a 16th century building distinguished by its unique architecture. The residence changed owners quite often and was rebuilt many times. Its inner courtyard is decorated with a richly decorated portal. Architectural details are also visible on partially preserved facades. Additionally, terraced gardens and a landscaped park are adjacent to it.

Wambierzyce — Table Mountains National Park

This is another interesting place that is worth seeing when visiting Wambierzyce and its surroundings. However, the attractions of the park include not only Wrong Rocks or Szczeliniec Wielki, but also numerous rock formations. In the vicinity of the village runs the educational path Skalne Mushrooms, a little further you can admire the Rock Bastions again.

It is difficult to find a second place such as Wambierzyce in the Kłodzko Valley. Attractions for children, monumental architectural monuments or the climatic market especially encourage you to visit them. If you want to discover all their charm, plan your stay at Vital & SPA Resort Ezarweiss. Our rooms and apartments in Zieleniec will provide you with convenient access not only to Wambierzyce, but also other towns of the Kłodzka Valley and the Czech Republic. In addition, we provide preferential accommodation conditions and a range of amenities. Get to know our entire offer now!

Photo: Jacek Halicki CC BY 3.0