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John Paul II

Karol Wojtyla, the later pope John Paul II, was born in the near-Krakow town of Wadowice. Wojtyla spent his youth in his hometown, and having received high school education there, he came to Krakow to study at the Jagiellonian University. From the age of 18 until the age of 58, when he was elected pope John Paul II, Karol Wojtyla continued to live in Krakow. Not surprisingly, he left his mark on the city, and many places in Krakow are linked to John Paul II in one way or another. Below is a short list of places in Krakow connected to John Paul II.

Archdiocese Museum

Situated on the picturesque Kanonicza Street, the Archdiocese Museum is located in the house Karol Wojtyla lived for quite a few years. Wojtyla's room is re-arranged to look exactly like it did when he used it, and the rest of the museum is filled with John Paul II memoirs, gifts and personal belongings.

Zakrzówek

The now-submerged quarry is the place where Karol Wojtyla worked during World War II. Divers can see the plaque that commemorates that fact.

Bishop's Palace

The place of residence of the Cardinal Karol Wojtyla between 1963 and 1978, when he was elected pope is on Franciszkanska Street 3, facing the beautiful Franciscan Church. As pope, John Paul II always stayed in the same apartment when he visited Poland, and he used to talk to the faithful from the window of his room.

Wawel Cathedral

Karol Wojtyla served his first mass in the st. Leonard's Crypt under Krakow's most important church – and later, he often served masses in the Cathedral itself as the Krakow Archbishop.

Cracovia Krakow Stadium

Kalwaria Zebrzydowska

Particularly connected to St. Mary, John Paul II visited this calvary complex also as pope.

Czestochowa

The sanctuary of Czestochowa, containing the miraculous painting of the Black Madonna, was one of John Paul II's most beloved places in Poland.