The Black Madonna of Czestochowa

Culture and History tour in Krakow

Tour Price : 180 USD-up to 4 persons Duration : all day tour Languages: English

There are lots of sacred places in Poland which attract millions of pilgrims and ordinary tourists from all over the world. The Black Madonna of Czestochowa icon is located in the Jasna Gora Monastery and is undoubtedly one of the most important sacred things in Poland. It is worth noting that the date of composition and the origin of the icon is still unclear even today and often causes hot discussions among scholars. It is difficult to determine the date of the appearance of the icon because it was badly damaged in the 15th century and the original image was painted over. Medieval restores were surprised to learn that the damaged areas of the icon reject any kind of paints, and so they decided to erase the original image and paint a new one on the same panel.

They didn’t want to change the panel because it was believed that it was the table top from the Holy family’s home.  The composition of the icon is traditional for any of the icons of Eastern Orthodoxy. Some people believed that it was the Black Madonna who saved the monastery of Jasna Gora from the Swedish invasion in the 17th century. There are many other legends linked with the sacred lady. For example the one that concerns the appearance of the icon in Poland. It has been in Poland for more than six centuries but prior to that it was believed to travel in Jerusalem where it was initially painted by St. Luka on a cypress table.

As your professional private guide in Poland I will tell some of the other intriguing legends associated with the Black Madonna. You will hear the legend about the miraculous savior the monastery from being destroyed by fire. The monastery was saved, but the icon became darker than it initially used to be.  You will also notice two scars on the right cheek of the Black Madonna, which are said to appear in the 15th century. It is worth noting that this tour is as popular as the private tour in Krakow. 

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