Piekary Calvary

The Calvary in Piekary Śląskie, part of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Justice and Social Love, is the work of parish priest Bernard Purkop, who initiated its construction on Cerekwica Hill between 1866 and 1871. After initial work such as planting trees and placing statues, the calvary project was formally presented to the parishioners in an 1869 appeal. However, ambitious plans to build chapels and a church were not realized due to the persecution of Catholics during the Kulturkampf period. After Father Purkop's death in 1882, the formalities of transferring the land to the parish were only completed in 1888 through the efforts of Father Leopold Nerlich, who resumed construction work. The new plan was developed by Father Władysław Schneider, a Franciscan known for his previous experience with calvaries. Between 1887 and 1895, a series of chapels, the Valley of Jehoshaphat, and the calvary church were built, with its consecration taking place in 1896. The architecture of the calvary is characterized by a diversity of chapels, including the Chapel of St. Raphael the Archangel and the Stations of the Cross. Pilgrimages, especially during the interwar period, attracted hundreds of thousands of faithful, highlighting its cultural and social significance for the region. In 2005, Cardinal Macharski consecrated a monument to John Paul II, symbolizing the continuity of the pilgrimage tradition. The Calvary not only serves as a place of worship but also stands as a testament to the historical and social phenomena of Upper Silesia.