Góra Kalwaria, Municipality in Masovian Voivodeship, Poland
Góra Kalwaria is a town in Masovian Voivodeship that stretches along the Vistula River. Its streets are arranged in a grid pattern forming a Latin cross shape across the landscape.
Bishop Stefan Wierzbowski founded the town in 1670 and designed it to reflect the layout of Jerusalem. Religious buildings were placed strategically throughout to mirror this connection.
The town grew as a pilgrimage destination for Catholics and was home to an important Jewish community centered around the Ger dynasty. Religious life remains woven into the daily character of the place.
The town is located roughly 35 kilometers southeast of Warsaw and consists of 38 villages administered as one municipality. Direct connections to the capital make it easy to visit from Warsaw.
The town was laid out in a cross pattern as part of its religious design, making this symbolism visible in the very structure of the streets. This unusual urban layout is striking when viewed from above.
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