Churches & monasteries

Sanctuary in Święta Woda

Święta Woda Sanctuary in Wasilków is an active Marian shrine and parish set among the forests and meadows of Podlasie. The site includes a church, a grotto with a spring, outdoor Stations of the Cross and the Hill of Crosses, a distinctive place of prayer marked by votive crosses brought by pilgrims.

What to see

The main points are the church of Our Lady of Sorrows and the grotto with its spring. The sanctuary grounds include a Way of the Cross, chapels, outdoor stations and the Hill of Crosses, which began to take shape in 1997 from crosses brought by pilgrims. In suitable weather, some services are held at the outdoor altar and grotto.

History of the site

Święta Woda has a long Marian devotional tradition connected with its chapel, the image of the Virgin Mary and the spring. In the 19th century the site was taken over by the Orthodox Church, and the chapel returned to Roman Catholics after Poland regained independence, in 1921. After post-war reconstruction, Święta Woda became a parish church in 1997; it is now the parish of Our Lady of Sorrows.

Before your visit

This is an active church, so keep quiet during services and check the current schedule. The parish lists Masses at 15:00 and 18:00 on weekdays, and at 08:00, 10:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 18:00 on Sundays and public holidays; an additional 20:00 Mass is listed from 1 May to 15 September. The address is ul. ks. Wacława Rabczyńskiego 2, Wasilków. Times may change for religious celebrations, so check the parish website before travelling.