John Paul II Mound
Kraków Mounds
The youngest and smallest of Kraków's mounds, 7 metres high. It was raised between 31 May and 10 June 1997 to commemorate John Paul II's sixth pilgrimage to Poland. It lies within the grounds of a Resurrectionist monastery, so please be quiet and check that the grounds are open to visitors.
History
The John Paul II Mound is the youngest and smallest of Kraków's mounds. It was raised in Dębniki, in the grounds of the Congregation of the Resurrection (the Resurrectionist Fathers), on ks. Stefana Pawlickiego Street - the work lasted from 31 May to 10 June 1997. The mound is 7 metres high, not counting the cross. It commemorates John Paul II's sixth pilgrimage to his homeland, as a granite plaque bearing the papal coat of arms at the entrance explains. It was blessed by the then nuncio, Józef Kowalczyk, during the 289th conference of the Polish Episcopate, which was hosted by the Resurrectionists' curia. An alley lined with thujas leads to it, and at its end a short flight of steps awaits.
Did you know?
In 2002 the idea arose of raising a larger mound in honour of the Polish pope. It was to stand on the site of the former Solvay soda works.