Camaldolese Hermit Monastery

Bielany, Poland

The Camaldolese monastery in Bielany was established there in the first half of the 17th century, damaged in 1655 during the Polish-Swedish war and rebuilt after a fire in 1814. It consists of hermitages and the Assumption of Mary Church.

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Founded: 17th century
Category: Religious sites in Poland

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Karolína Jánská (4 months ago)
According to the information, monks at the monastery should avoid modern conveniences and eat only what they grow. Today, a group of friends and I wanted to visit the monastery. However, only men are allowed to visit the monastery, so the female members of our group waited outside. When the male friends approached the monastery in shorts, they were not allowed in, which they understood and respected. Although they offered to change into long pants, the monk didn't respond and simply closed and locked the door. What surprised us, though, was that a man carrying a box of melons and a woman with a bag of food were allowed to enter through a side entrance. Additionally, we were taken aback when we saw a monk coming out of the monastery with a phone in his hand, talking to someone. This seemed to contradict the information we had received about monks avoiding modern conveniences. Overall, we were surprised by the monastery and the behavior of the monks. It's important for anyone considering a visit to be aware that gaining entry might be challenging.
David Smith (5 months ago)
Cool spot
Loulou's Picture (2 years ago)
Quite mixed opinions about this Monestary. Looking at it from afar it looks absolutely amazing with it's traditional architecture and posture dramatically dominating Krakow high-up in the forest. Up close, it looks beautiful as well but many attempts to visit the place has been unsuccessful (weird and changing opening hours, refurbishing, exceptional closing, no one to open the door, etc). Therefore, I would not recommend going there if you are staying for a short time in Krakow, if you are a women (yes women are forbidden in the place throughout the year just accepted at some special occasions), if you are going with kids, if you don't have suitable physical condition (2h wall in the forest). All these reasons make up for a unique experience of a place that is stuck in time for the best and the worst.
Akira Aokawa (2 years ago)
Nice view from far away, also the forest is nice, beautiful big trees with benches for the visitors. The entrance had nice paintings on the wall. But there was a reconstruction. The map didn't show it. Also the homepage didn't provided any information about opening hours or construction, I also asked in the city center of Kraków 2 days earlier, the guy checked somewhere and gave me somewhat different opening hours than it was indicated by the map. I understand that the construction was written at the entrance, but only when I walked the few hundred meters up and down I met more than 10 people. It would be nice to indicate at well visible places that the monastery is temporarily closed for the visitors.
Joanna Lech (3 years ago)
Mysterious because it is a clause with restrictions for tourists, especially women. It looks beautiful from the A 4 motorway.
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