Częstochowa and the Black Madonna

Częstochowa is a town in Silesia, famous for its magnificent Pauline monastery at Jasna Góra with the miraculous painting of Black Madonna, a shrine of the Virgin Mary. In the 17^th century, it was under a month-long siege by Swedish forces. A small group of monks fought off the numerous Swedes and managed to save their sacred icon. The city is also home for the Lusatian culture excavation site and museum. In nearby Olsztyn you can admire the ruins of a medieval castle. Then the tour will take you to the Eagle Nest Trail, a line of medieval fortifications beautifully situated on limestone cliffs.