Pope Saint John Paul II Family Home museum in Wadowice, Poland

On 18th May 2020 we’re celebrating Karol Wojtyła’s 100th birthday, for most of the world, he was known as Pope John Paul II. The story of his life was presented in many movies, for example, Karol, a Man who became Pope and Karol, The Pope, The Man. He was born in Wadowice, Poland (near the city where I live) in 1920.

Karol Wojtyła decided to become the catholic priest and I’m pretty sure he couldn’t even imagine being elected as a pope on 16th October 1978. In Wadowice, Poland you can visit his original home, where he was born and the Basilica, next door, where he was baptized. The museum is amazing, presenting each part of his life - from the childhood in Wadowice, through the adolescence in Kraków and his life as a pope in the Vatican till his death.

During one of his pilgrimage to his home city, he mentioned that “kremówka” (cream-cake) used to be his favorite dessert when he was young, and in this way, it became the most popular cake and “must-try” while visiting Wadowice.

John Paul made 104 foreign trips, where every time he entered the country, he kneeled and kissed the ground to pay tribute to the host country and its citizens. Right below you can see the photo of soils from many different places he visited.

During his life, he was trying to be close to people as much as possible, especially through his visits, papal audiences, and articles. He constantly tried to improve the relations between the Catholic church and other churches and religions.

There was a famous attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II on 13th May 1981 in the Vatican, but fortunately, after being struck four times, he miraculously survived. The original gun from this incident is placed in the museum, too. John Paul II believed The Virgin Mary saved his life then.

You can get to know his history and life through movies and books, however, I truly recommend you to visit this museum, where I was really touched by the atmosphere of this place and all exhibitions showing this passionate, incredible life. Family Home of John Paul II

John Paul II died on 2nd April 2005. He was beatified on 1 May 2011 and later canonized on 27 April 2014.

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Wow great post @AniaKiser and very detailed story .

Based from your post now I looking for that movie .

Thanks you

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@Nyainurjanah I’m glad you like it! Let me know what you think about the movie after watching. :slightly_smiling_face:

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Finally a special Polish posts @AniaKiser :wink: !!!

I have been several times in Wadowice, as well when we have had the European Meet Up, but have only visited the church and the cake stores.

I’m in fact not sure if the museum was already open, as I’m quite sure that someone has must me to visit the museum.

When I come next time to Poland (hopefully soon!!!) I will try to make my way to Wadowice.

It could be as well a good Meetup point.

I’m no catholic and by definition don’t believe in miraculous, BUT there a several reasons why my first son has as a second name Karol and I really have been deeply touched by him, when I did visit his audience in Castel Gandolfo (Italy) in 2002. @AniaKiser

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What a nice experience to know our holy father better through his childhood life from a museum @AniaKiser

It’s such a good virtual tour and story from you.

Thanks for sharing.

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@AniaKiser Thank you for showing us this great person from the other side. Very interesting and informative article.

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Hello @AniaKiser I really appreciate your post. It brings back my child hood memories. Pope John Paul was the pope I knew .My parents were fervent Catholic . We hardly missed Sunday Mass. Our sitting room had a memorabilia of Pope John Paul visit to Nigeria in 1982 which my father would not remove till he died. I could not forget many yearly sermon of hope from him ,read aloud by the parish priest.

I grew up showing more interest in science than religion till I drifted completely out.

I will honestly like to visit his museum if I happen to find myself in Poland.

Pope John Paul of blessed memory, was man of peace . His image still remains in mind after so many years.

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Wow it’s going to be a very complete museum! I remember when I saw John Paul II in Vatican when I was a kid, it was impressive! Thanks for sharing @AniaKiser !

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Hai @AniaKiser .

Thank you to tell a detailed story and uploaded somany photos of Museum of meorable of Karol Wojtila who became a Pope.

May add to the story that at least three event that influencing and change the world.

  1. He visit Jewish Western Wall, 26 March 2000.
  2. He forgive his fine guilty assasinator, and met in person.
  3. His funeral mass with whiite plain and simple wooden coffin with a wrought black steel cross is attende by world leader no matter they are in middle of conflicts, seize fire and attend this even

Hope some day I can visit this museum or at least I will follow his humble leadership and how handle conflict.

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@TorM Thank you for your comment. In my opinion for a first-time visitor, it’s good to combine Wadowice with John Paul’s II family home, Auschwitz and Wieliczka Salt Mine to the main destination - Kraków. It would take 5-7 days, but it’s worth to get to know this region of Poland and its main attractions.

I can’t wait to be a part of a real Meet Up! I plan to go to Kraków soon for street art photos hunting :slightly_smiling_face:

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@Velvel I appreciate your comment. Karol Wojtyła’s story is so rich and his childhood wasn’t easy neither his beginning of adolescence with World War II trauma taking place. This museum shows what an impact his neighborhood and people around had on Karol Wojtyła character and attitude.

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@OlgaKlimchik Thanks :slightly_smiling_face: I was lucky to visit the museum in March, before the lockdown and I really wanted to share the info about this special place with other Local Guides.

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@Emmik20 Great to read Saint John Paul II was famous and worshiped in Nigeria, too! Thank you for sharing your story with us! You’re very welcome in Poland (as soon as lockdown is over)-here you can find many attractions to visit - beautiful nature, monuments, old buildings and last but not least -Polish cuisine to taste :slightly_smiling_face:

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@christophesubilia Thanks a lot for your comment! I was a part of the audience in May 1995 in Skoczów, Poland when John Paul was visiting my country and this experience-being a part of this pilgrimage- was truly spiritual.

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@BudiFXW I appreciate your comment. There were so many interesting moments in his life that it’s impossible to mention all of them. For example, there was one more attempt of assassination in 1982 in Fatima, Portugal, where he was wounded, however, he didn’t stop his visit and continued it according to a plan.

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@AniaKiser @Great insight view of pope yeah I remember when he came to India too here in GOA also we are having some vintage church of purtgalis make too

thanks for sharing

Regards

Anil

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@Anil6969 Thanks for your comment. Saint John Paul II was a friend of Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who worked in India.

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Very interesting information, @AniaKiser . Thanks for sharing. I’m Cuban but I live in the Dominican Republic, first country of 105 John Paul II visited upon being named Pope.

Best regards,

AM

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@Adrianralph Thank you for this info. He traveled a lot! He also loved hikking and canoying :slightly_smiling_face:

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Hey @AniaKiser nice museum would love to visit if I go to Poland.

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