Wiktorówki Marian Sanctuary

The Chapel at Wiktorówki, known as the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Jaworzyna, is a wooden building on a granite foundation with a gable roof, characteristic overhanging eaves (soboty), and a cloister with a wooden balustrade. The interior of the chapel is single-naved and ends in a small apse, where a wooden altar with a figurine of Our Lady of Jaworzyna is located. It is worth emphasizing that this place not only serves a religious function but also a tourist one, featuring a built-in kitchen where monks host tourists, and a spring, from which the water is believed to have healing properties. Stories associated with this area date back to 1860, when a young shepherdess, Marysia Murzańska, reportedly saw a mysterious figure who promised her that her lost sheep would be found. Over time, the site began to attract pilgrims, and the first Mass was held in 1932. For years, Wiktorówki has been a pilgrimage destination, and occasional ceremonies are held regularly, attracting both highlanders and tourists. Many commemorative plaques are placed around the chapel, making it a symbolic cemetery for those who have died in the mountains. The sanctuary has also been supported for years by the religious life of the religious orders caring for it, including the Dominicans, who have expanded the chapel’s surroundings and organize pastoral activities. Another attraction is the hiking trails leading to Wiktorówki, including the popular blue trail from Zazadnia to Rusinowa Polana. This place plays a significant role in the cultural and spiritual life of the region, serving as a testament to the love for the mountains and a place of prayer and remembrance.