Brzegi: Campus Misericordiae and roadside chapels

Brzegi’s culture is shaped by Campus Misericordiae and an enduring tradition of roadside chapels. A striking example of contemporary art is the cross at the Światowych Dni Młodzieży roundabout; alongside it, numerous chapels tell of local religious traditions. The campus provides another large-scale landmark for understanding the area.

Campus Misericordiae and a historic date

Campus Misericordiae covers more than 200 hectares and is located in Brzegi, near Wieliczka. Its size gives the site a distinct scale within descriptions of the area. A dated cultural event is also associated with the campus: on 29 July 2018, a meeting with the authors was held there to present the new publication “Miasto spotkań pod Wieliczką” by Wydawnictwo Żyznowski. This example anchors the area’s cultural history in a specific date and publication.

Sculpture and roadside chapels

The cross at the Światowych Dni Młodzieży roundabout in Brzegi is a contemporary sculpture that carries on a centuries-old tradition. Brzegi and the Pola Miłosierdzia are home to a particularly large number of roadside chapels, and new ones continue to be built there. These details show different sides of local culture: contemporary work connected to tradition and a living practice that is also expressed in newly built chapels. If you are interested in religious folk art and its forms, these subjects offer a tangible way to discover Brzegi.

Wieliczka as a wider travel destination

The wider travel destination of Wieliczka offers additional points of interest. The Wieliczka Salt Mine is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines”. The underground Miners’ Route includes 7 to 14 excavation chambers in the rugged mine workings around the oldest preserved Regis Shaft; it is up to two kilometres long. This provides specific details about the route’s scope and length when planning your itinerary, while Brzegi retains its own focus on the campus, sculpture and roadside chapels.

Routes and architectural history in Wieliczka

The route descriptions differ in their paths: the yellow trail is a walking and cycling route between Wieliczka and Dobczyce. By contrast, the red cycling route forms a 27-kilometre loop through Wieliczka and Siercza. Another landscape attraction is the “Las i stawy na Grabówkach” ecological protected area, which lies along the walking and cycling route from Wieliczka. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

The architectural history of the wider travel destination of Wieliczka also spans several centuries. The wooden Church of St Sebastian was built in 1582 and contains Renaissance paintings. The Parish Church of St Clement was founded in 1381 by the townspeople; architectural elements from the 13th and 14th centuries have been preserved in it. The Franciscan Church and Franciscan Monastery were the first stone church of the Franciscan Reformed Province of Lesser Poland and were built in the first half of the 17th century. In Grabie, the parish church dates from 1742 and contains a Gothic stone baptismal font from the 15th century. These different dates and architectural features make the region’s sacred architecture a cultural subject in its own right.

Renovation notice for Wieliczka

A notice dated 8 September 2026 reported that Zamek Żupny and its courtyard were closed for renovation work, which is expected to continue until the end of 2028. Check the latest status before your trip if you plan to visit this site.

Discover more destinations: Czarnochowice, Byszyce, Łysokanie, Zabawa, Mała Wieś, Czyżów, Jawczyce, Podstolice.

Back to the wider travel overview: Wieliczka.