Over the course of Holy Week, beginning on Palm Sunday, actors - often seminarians and local community members - portray key events from the Gospels, including the entry into Jerusalem, the trial before Pontius Pilate, the carrying of the cross, and the crucifixion. Good Friday is the peak of the event: the climactic scenes are performed during the solemn Way of the Cross procession, creating a profoundly moving atmosphere as participants and onlookers walk, pray, and reflect together. Although at times grisly and intense - these scenes are staged safely and symbolically; no one is physically harmed, and the crucifixion is dramatized using secure supports and theatrical techniques. That said, it is quite a spectacle, attempting to achieve as realistic a dramatisation as possible.
Visitors are welcome to join the processions or observe the staged scenes from along the route. Walking the Dróżki, you can follow the story step by step, moving at your own pace and discovering the combination of historic architecture, devotional spaces, and natural scenery that makes Kalwaria Zebrzydowska a UNESCO World Heritage site and a cornerstone of Polish religious heritage. Multilingual tourist information and guides may be available for groups wishing for additional context, making this a unique opportunity to witness a living tradition that is both deeply religious and central to Poland’s cultural identity. Visit the website for more details about the events of Holy Week and how to visit Kalwaria Zebrzydowska.
