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Home > Krakow > Pieskowa Skala Castle and Czestochowa including the 'Black Madonna' Day Tour from Krakow
Pieskowa Skala Castle and Czestochowa including the \'Black Madonna\' Day Tour from Krakow
USD $77.00

Pieskowa Skala Castle and Czestochowa including the 'Black Madonna' Day Tour from Krakow

Krakow, Poland

Follow the Eagles Nest Trail to Czestochowa to see the "Black Madonna", a Gothic painting of Our Lady at the monastery of Jasna Gora. Returning to Krakow you will stop at the Renaissance Castle in Pieskowa Skala which is home to the Museum of the National Wawel Art Collections.

In the city of Czestochowa is Poland's national shrine and the icon which has drawn pilgrims from across the globe for centuries.

The monastery of Jasna Gora is home to the miraculous "Black Madonna", a Gothic painting of Our Lady, which after Rome, Lourdes and Mecca makes Czestochowa one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in the world today. Your visit to the monastery includes the Miraculous Picture Chapel and the Basilica.

Also, you can visit the 600th-Anniversary Museum, the Arsenal and the Treasury on your own, if you wish, while others on the tour have a break for lunch and buying souvenirs.

Your journey back to Krakow takes you along the Eagles Nests Trail, an historic strategic system of watchtowers and castles. Today most of these are in ruins. However, not all of them have been destroyed completely and you will see some that have managed to endure the rigors of time.

On the way back from Czestochowa there will be stop over in Pieskowa Skala to visit a well-preserved Renaissance Castle along the Eagle Nests Trail. High on a cliff over the valley of the Pradnik river, this 14th century fortification was rebuilt in the 16th century as a Renaissance residence. Today it is home to the Museum of the National Wawel Art Collections.

USD $77.00
Traveler Reviews
Review by:   kathy42war,    November 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Pieskowa Skala castle was very picturesque through beautiful countryside. The guide was very good and gave time to visit the castle and a stop for refreshments. The Black Madonna at Czestochowa was a very uplifting experience with time to pray at the church and to view the Black Madonna close up. The food at the polish restaurant was delicious a very enjoyable trip.
 

Review by:   mikestorrs,    October 2017 Review: 1 star rating: I do not recommend this
My wife grew up in a community of Polish Americans and the Black Madonna was an icon not only of the Catholic Church in Poland but of the church in her community as well. Many families had a picture of her in their homes. She wanted to see it in person. The tour was a day long drive and when we arrived a Mass was being conducted in the chapel where the picture was displayed. We had a small glimpse of the picture over several hundred people and through a metal grate. We waited to the end of the mass in the hopes that some of the people would leave but as the mass ended a cover was lowered over the painting. We understood that it would be open for viewing again at 2:00 in the afternoon but our tour could not wait for that. The only saving grace was that we were the only two people on the tour and our tour guide Bruno was delightful and we enjoyed talking with him on the trip up and back. If you are going to offer this tour you should understand when the painting will be visible.
 

Review by:   chomicki,    September 2017 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
Could have spent less time @ Pieskowa Castle and more time @ Czestochowa/Black Madonna_br/_ Guide was professional, knowledgeable, and helpful_br/_ Enjoyable day
 

Review by:   Petra T,    September 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Beautiful castle: worthwhile are the beautifully restored renaissance courtyard, the impressive paintings and sculptures collection insight and the friendly and experienced guide. The church of the Black Madonna is like a little Vatican en the shrine itself, beautifully restored. After the tour, the guide even went with us to Krakow on a voluntary basis to show us some hidden places on the market square. highly recommanded.
 

Review by:   Robert M,    September 2017 Review: 3 star rating: Worth doing
While both tour destinations were outstanding and well worth a visit if a castle visit and religious shrine are your interests, we could have done without the snarky, anti-religion attitude of Andrew the tour guide. Fortunately, most of the visit to the shrine was self-guided after a brief introduction by Andrew. He should present a neutral opinion since most people taking this tour are almost certainly going for a spiritual experience. There were several museums at the site he just pointed out the entrance to. Other guides were together with other groups in the museums, offering commentary, etc. Why not with this pricey tour?
 

Review by:   Anne L,    September 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
This review may well be published because it is positive. Do not waste your time on negative reviews as it appears they are ignored.
 

Review by:   Kristi M,    August 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
My experience was really very good and I recommend this tour to everyone who visit Poland! Jasna Gora monastery in Czestochowa is very special place and Black Madonna extraordinary! Our guide Andrew Andrej? was really nice and friendly person, his information about history of Poland was really useful! Pieskowa Skala Castle was also nice with its long history and beautiful nature. This tour was the highlight of my trip. Thank you!
 

Review by:   jose f,    January 2017 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
A igreja é linda e o castelo também . O nosso guia Andy foi muito esclarecedor. Sugiro que o intervalo entre os dois passeios seja menor. Ficamos quase uma hora esperando dar o horário de encontro.
 

Review by:   amerovich,    January 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
For anyone interested in pilgrimage sites, this is a must do. To see this incredible painting and see the beauty of the chapels, it's breathtaking. My guide recommended the covering of the painting at noon only occurs during winter and I'm so thankful he did! I thought it would be a cloth over it, but there were drums and a plaque lowered over it. FYI Pieskowa Skala Castle is closed on weekdays in the winter season, but it was still beautiful to see the national park from the outside. My guide was absolutely delightful and so informative about the area and history of the painting. I highly recommend this tour to anyone!!!
 

Review by:   Dargravish,    October 2016 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
Czestochowas was very crowded which cant be helped but very interesting. The Castle was nice. The tour guide was very informative and helpful.
 

Review by:   Liz,    September 2016 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Anyone visiting Poland needs to go to Czestochowa._br/_ Wish we could have left earlier to catch the mass at 11:00
 

Review by:   Elena P,    September 2016 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
It was very interesting to see the famous Black Madonna, learn its history and visit to the Pieskowa Skala castle was also good. It is nice nature around the castle and I wish we had time to walk a bit in the national park. The main drawback for me during the visit to Czestochowa is that our driver/guide showed us Black madonna with Basilica in 15 minutes he gave us a history overview on the way in the car and then we were left for 2 hrs on our own. There is not much written in English in museums. I saw nice group tours in treasury, arcenal, etc., but this was not the case for our tour. I think the tour could be improved in this aspect. Although, we had a guided tour within Pieskowa Skala Castle. I would recommend this tour only if you have plenty of time to spare, as there are many things to see in Krakow and it is a very long drive 2 hrs each way.
 

Review by:   Nelli A,    May 2016 Review: 3 star rating: Worth doing
The castle was closed, the agency knew it and they did not replace it with something else
 

Review by:   Jules J,    April 2016 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Our tour was very good. The only downside was that we could not visit pieskowa castle due to restoration work underway. The operator had been up front months ago at the time we booked which was the classy way to handle this. The Jasna gora monastery was quite impressive. Be sure to see the treasury, arsenal and the museum is in addition to the basilica and icon.
 

Review by:   Kevin B,    April 2016 Review: 3 star rating: Worth doing
Enjoyed the trip to both locations, but guide didn't seem to provide very much information. Unfortunately Pieskowa Castle was closed and would not recommend doing this trip unless it is open.
 

Review by:   Nelli A,    March 2016 Review: 3 star rating: Worth doing
The castle was closed and we missed it, the very nice driver Kristoff told us that the agency still puts it on the programm well knowing that is closed in winter time. They did not offer us to see something else either
 

Review by:   Aleksandra P,    September 2015 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Another excellent day. The guide once more being very knowledgable and handling the organisation of the day extremely well.
 

Review by:   Stacy A,    August 2015 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Our trip was wonderful! Perfect in every regard.
 

Review by:   Catherine P,    July 2015 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Our tour guide Mr. Andrzej was very knowledgeable and pleasant. We were very surprised that our tour ended up being a private one! And the castle was such an excellent bonus side trip. Even if you speak the language like I do, I still recommend this trip so that you can learn things while you travel comfortably and stress free.
 

Review by:   Richard D O,    July 2015 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Very nice tour. Guide was personable knowledgeable and extremely helpful even to the point of helping to order lunch items and show us some hidden parts of Krakow when we returned. Very much recommended.
 

Review by:   Diego F,    October 2014 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
the tour was very good, just can dont incluid the last part of the ruins of the castle, no really interested
 

Review by:   Lazy traveller,    September 2014 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Love the day trip and the guide is very knowledgeable.
 

Review by:   Sue N,    August 2014 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
The guide was very knowledgable. His English was perfect, and he was very nice. The tour was a wonderful experience. I suggest it to anyone who is interested in visiting Poland.
 

Review by:   Elaine M,    May 2014 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
Overall, very good tour. Interesting guide (Andrew).
 

Review by:   Catherine C,    January 2014 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
It was really a surprise for me because I was the only one taking this tour that day, Oct 24, 2013. It was a good thing the tour wasn't cancelled and I was instead referred to an independent travel agency. Imagine I had my own driver cum tour guide in a private car! The Pieskowa Scala Castle was not really that impressive and there were some construction/renovations going on. However, the museum inside was quite impressive! For that alone it was worth the trip! After that, we went straight to the Shrine of the Black Madonna in Czestochowa which was really beyond my expectations! I was able to attend the unveiling ceremony of the icon followed by a mass. Over-all, it was a tour I would really recommend.
 

Review by:   nadine f,    November 2013 Review: 3 star rating: Worth doing
Pieskowa skala castle was not a necessary stop for me. More time should have been given at the_br/_ "Black Madonna". We felt we were being rushed by the guide
 

Review by:   Monika K,    October 2013 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Absolutely beautiful and very well organised. Our guide Andrzej was very well informed and a wonderful guide. Czestochowa is beautiful and we got there in time to see the unveiling of the picture in the church, a beautiful moment. Would definitely recommend going there!!
 

Review by:   John S,    October 2013 Review: 3 star rating: Worth doing
Czestochowa is well worth the trip as a pilgrim, but probably not so much if you're more of a tourist. The drive is an hour and a half each way, so you're basically tying up a day to do this. Our guide Andrew was very knowledgable, and saved the Castle tour from being a disaster when road construction kept us from getting to the castle before closing time. He gave a great exterior tour, and made King Kasimir's project come alive.
 

Review by:   Bree J,    October 2013 Review: 3 star rating: Worth doing
A good day trip.
 

Review by:   Katharine C,    September 2013 Review: 3 star rating: Worth doing
There is TOO MUCH packed into this tour! The experience at the monastery is very intense- it is jam-packed with people and we were exhausted afterwards from trying to battle our way in to see the icon. The trip there from Krakow took three hours, not two, so we did not have time to eat lunch. And after the monastery, there is still the trip to the castle, which is up a very long set of stairs. It's too much to do and not enough time for things like eating and using the facilities.
 

Review by:   Parimal S,    August 2013 Review: 3 star rating: Worth doing
Black Madonna was good. Castle was not wort it. Guide was mediocre. He spent 10 minutes at black madona and then left us on our own for 3 hours. Did not describe what statues or pictures meant like we saw other guides spending time with their group.
 

Review by:   John B,    July 2013 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
The highlight of the tour was the Nun lead tour of Czestochowa and seeing the Black Madonna. Meanwhile our Viator guide went home while we were touring the shrine and brought us back home made cookies. We loved the Poles and Poland.
 

Review by:   Ehunadi,    July 2013 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Fabulous tour. Our tour guide was Krystof, so knowledgeable, perfect gentleman, fun day together.
 

Review by:   Malcolm G,    January 2013 Review: 3 star rating: Worth doing
O K
 

Review by:   Neil C,    August 2012 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
Excellent day with Andrew of Cracow Tours. Made it to Jasna Gory for the veiling of the Black Madonna and just enjoyed the whole day.
 

Review by:   Marie L,    August 2012 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
Nice guide tour and the guide spoke an excelent english so it was very easy to understand
 

Review by:   Mario S,    August 2012 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
A very interesting and well-explained tour.
 

Review by:   Panagiotis S,    June 2012 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
All well done.
 

Review by:   Steffan H,    April 2012 Review: 1 star rating: I do not recommend this
Again but again incorrect time given the tour itself was very good if it wasn't for a kind local ringing and checking for mr I would have missed it again will not use your web site.
 

Review by:   gutowiczl,    September 2011 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
go if you are really into visiting pilgrimage sites...the 1;30 CHURCH vit whe the madonna is unveiled is a warm expoerience as everyone there is deeply involved in the experience...drive there not great...
 

Review by:   George X,    September 2011 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
A wonderful day out. At the black Madonna there is so much to see. A placeof prayer for us catholics. Time was short, though our wonderful guide granted us another half an hour on our request. At the Castle we could have saved time to spend at Cztochowa.
 

Review by:   David D,    August 2011 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
This was a fantastic trip.Pieskowa Skala Castle is a definite must for all travellers. It's a beautiful place.Czestochowa is a fantastic spiritual place and the black Madonna worth the trip alone.A nun was our tour guide and she was amazing.The only down side was the maroon coach and the inadequate knee room .
 

Review by:   Bryan T,    August 2011 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
The driver Andrew was very informative. _br/_ You get plenty of time ate the black madonna._br/_ In the castle you get a good insight on the work of arts. Especially if the tourguide i very passionate about the object their.
 

Review by:   Bryan T,    June 2011 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
The driver Andrew was very informative. _br/_ You get plenty of time ate the black madonna._br/_ In the castle you get a good insight on the work of arts. Especially if the tourguide i very passionate about the object their.
 

Review by:   Jonathan F,    October 2010 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
Our guide mumbled into his boots a little and it was a bit rainy, but overall was a good trip.
 

Review by:   Anonymous,    August 2010 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
The Pieskowa Skala Castle is extremely interesting, expecially when the tour guide speaks very good English and knowledgeable. Do expect a big crowd at the monastery of Jasna Gora.
 

Review by:   Burt A,    August 2010 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
A lovely trip into the countryside with a well informed and communicative guide. There were only four of us plus the guide and both the tour of Czestochowa and the Castle were wonderful. Our guide was particularly well versed in the museum at the castle. Would definitely recommend this trip to others.
 

Review by:   HIEN V,    August 2010 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
The Pieskowa Skala Castle is extremely interesting, expecially when the tour guide speaks very good English and knowledgeable. Do expect a big crowd at the monastery of Jasna Gora.
 

Review by:   Craig B,   United States of America, July 2010 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
This was a very good tour. There were 6 people in our group and the driverguide was excellent. I strongly recommend this tour if your are religious or want to see an aspect of Polish Catholicism. However, be warned that it is a two hour drive to Czestochowa and two hours back. In a car, it was a bit cramped. Our guide gave us lots of information about Poland and Polish history on the ride to and from Czestochowa. Czestochowa was very crowded with lots of pilgrims. We spent three hours there. two hours with the guide and one hour on our own The visit to Pieskowa Skala castle was about an hour long.
 

Review by:   Irene S,   United States of America, July 2010 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Great driverguide and well worth time spent.
 

All Traveler Reviews...

USD $77.00
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