John Paul II Hill, Pelplin

On a hill just outside Pelplin stands a 33-metre steel cross, clad in shiny metal that reflects the landscape of the Kociewie region. The height is no accident – it symbolises the years of Jesus's life. Here, on 6 June 1999, Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass for some 350,000 people. Today the hill is a pilgrimage site and one of the best viewpoints in the area.

History

The hill, formerly called Bishop's Hill, rises to 92.2 metres above sea level and lies between Pelplin and the village of Ropuchy, beside regional road 229. The cross was consecrated on 3 May 1999. It was designed by Anita and Marek Gawdzik, with the structure engineered by Daniela and Marek Stachura. The architects stressed that they used materials common in Polish construction during John Paul II's pontificate.

Before the papal visit, helicopter landing pads were laid out around the hill, and army engineers from Tczew built a temporary wooden bridge across the Wierzyca river to shorten the pilgrims' route from town. During the Mass a net – a symbol of fishermen – was fixed to the cross, held up by figures of swans. The net is now in Sierakowice. The sacristy was shaped like a traditional Kociewie cottage, and artificial streams flowed down the slopes.

On 2 April 2005, the day the Pope died, people gathered spontaneously on the hill. Two months later, on 6 June 2005, a monument commemorating the visit was unveiled here and blessed by Cardinal Józef Glemp and Bishop Jan Bernard Szlaga.

What to see

• The cross, standing on a round platform symbolising a rock. By day it reflects the sun; at night it is floodlit.
• The 2005 monument and memorial and information plaques about the papal visit.
• A concrete wall bearing the coats of arms of Kociewie towns, preserved from the 1999 field altar.
• The panorama – to the east lies Pelplin with its cathedral towers, and beyond it the fields and gentle hills of Kociewie.

Tripto tip

The hill is about 2 km west of central Pelplin, on road 229 towards Starogard Gdański. A comfortable path leads to the top. Allow 30–60 minutes for the walk, a rest by the cross and the views. The site is open and free. There is no shade, so in summer bring water and a hat. It is loveliest before sunset, when the light falls on the cross and the cathedral below.