Brzegi: Campus Misericordiae and Chapel Tradition

Campus Misericordiae and the enduring tradition of roadside chapels give Brzegi two very different cultural landmarks. There is also a contemporary cross that draws on a centuries-old tradition. Exploring the area brings visitors face to face with both a vast site and a local culture that continues to evolve.

Campus Misericordiae and Culture in Brzegi

Campus Misericordiae covers more than 200 hectares and is located in Brzegi, near Wieliczka. Its history also includes a specific cultural moment: on 29 July 2018, a literary meeting was held there to present the new publication Miasto spotkań pod Wieliczką by Wydawnictwo Żyznowski.

A contemporary cross stands at the Światowych Dni Młodzieży roundabout in Brzegi, continuing a centuries-old tradition. Brzegi and the Pola Miłosierdzia have a particularly large number of roadside chapels, and new ones continue to be built there. The comparison between the cross and the chapels brings together two expressions of the same cultural continuity: a contemporary sculpture and a tradition carried on through new chapels.

Wieliczka: Mining and Visit Planning

The wider destination of Wieliczka offers another focus: the Salt Mine, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines.” The underground Miners’ Route includes 7 to 14 mining chambers in the rough workings around the oldest preserved Regis Shaft. It is up to two kilometres long. Those interested in mining will find a route described as spanning several mining chambers and extending up to two kilometres.

According to a notice dated 8 September 2026, Zamek Żupny and its courtyard are closed for renovation work, which is expected to continue until the end of 2028. Check the situation again before planning a visit. This allows you to take the notice into account without assuming that a visit during the renovation is possible.

Churches and Historic Sites in Wieliczka

Wieliczka also offers examples from different architectural periods. The wooden Church of St. Sebastian was built in 1582 and contains Renaissance paintings. The Church of St. Clement was founded by the townspeople in 1381; architectural elements from the 13th and 14th centuries have been preserved there. The construction date and the older surviving features provide different historical points of interest.

In Grabie, the parish Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary dates from 1742. It contains a Gothic stone baptismal font from the 15th century. In Wieliczka, the Franciscan Church and Franciscan monastery were built in the first half of the 17th century; together, they were the first stone church of the Lesser Poland Reformers’ Province. The Ursuline monastery in Siercza is housed in a former Lubomirski palace dating from around the turn of the 20th century.

Other historic connections can be found in Raciborsko and Wieliczka: in Raciborsko, remains of a former manor complex survive, including a granary. The Jewish historic cemetery in Wieliczka dates from the 18th century. These sites complement the churches, offering insight into the different historical traces of the wider destination.

Routes and Activities in Wieliczka

The routes also vary in activity and course. The yellow trail is a hiking and cycling route between Wieliczka and Dobczyce. The red cycle route forms a 27-kilometre loop through Wieliczka and Siercza. This means there is both a route for hikers and cyclists between two named places and a circuit specifically described as a cycle route.

Siercza also has a riding stable where visitors can ride under the guidance of a riding instructor. Check current availability when planning this activity. When searching for holiday accommodation, it helps to prioritise what matters to you: if Campus and the chapel tradition in Brzegi are your main interests, searching specifically for holiday apartments in Brzegi can be a good starting point. If you are primarily interested in mining, churches, or routes in Wieliczka, choose your accommodation location according to your specific plans.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Sułków, Biskupice, Węgrzce Wielkie, Mała Wieś, Czyżów, Podstolice, Koźmice Wielkie, Niepołomice.

Return to the overview of the wider destination: Wieliczka.