Sanctuary of Divine Mercy

Located in the southern suburbs of Kraków, the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy includes a new basilica, and the 19th-century convent of nun and mystic Faustyna Kowalska (1905-1938), who saw a vision of Christ with red and white shafts of light emanating from his heart. The image - known as the 'Divine Mercy' - is purported to have miraculous healing properties, leading to Faustyna’s eventual canonisation by Pope John Paul II in 2000. A big proponent of the cult of Faustyna, during WWII the future pope prayed at this site every day, and the enormous new, boat-shaped basilica was built on his initiative between 1999 and 2002. Attached to the church is a tower offering superb views of the city, and next door is a building called the 'House of St. Faustyna' displaying everyday objects from her life (open 08:00-18:00). The small original church inside the convent contains Faustyna’s relics and the site receives over 2 million pilgrims a year. Getting there is as easy as a 20min ride on trams 8 or 22; get off at the 'Sanktuarium Bożego Miłosierdzia' stop.