300th Anniversary of Warsaw Pilgrimage to the Marian Shrine of Jasna Góra, 2 zl

A commemorative 2-zloty coin commemorating the 300th anniversary of the Warsaw pilgrimage to Jasna Góra.

Obverse:
An image of the eagle established as the state emblem of the Republic of Poland. At the sides of the eagle the year of issue: 20-11, under the eagle an inscription: ZŁ 2 ZŁ. Along the rim an inscription: RZECZPOSPOLITA POLSKA (REPUBLIC OF POLAND), preceded and followed by six pearls. Under the eagle’s left foot the symbol of the mint: M/W.

Reverse:
In the upper part, a stylized image of the Monastery of the Order of Saint Paul in Częstochowa.  Below, on the right-hand side, a stylized fragment of the Church of the Holy Spirit of the Pauline monks in Warsaw. In the lower part, against the background of stylized contours of a group of pilgrims carrying a cross and flags, an inscription: 300-LECIE PIELGRZYMKI/WARSZAWSKIEJ NA/JASNĄ GÓRĘ (300TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WARSAW/PILGRIMAGE TO/JASNA GÓRA).

On the edge: eight inscriptions: NBP, every second one reversed by 180 degrees, separated by stars.

Obverse designer: Ewa Tyc-Karpińska
Reverse designer: Dominika Karpińska-Kopiec

The Warsaw Walking Pilgrimage is a unique religious phenomenon on the spiritual map not only of Poland, but also Europe. Since 1711, it unceasingly gathers pilgrims who cover the route leading from the administrative capital of Poland to the spiritual capital of the nation – Jasna Góra. The tradition of the annual walk was not interrupted by the repressions of the occupants, the military actions during two world wars or the prohibitions of the Nazis and the communists. In 2011, the most well-known Polish pilgrimage is celebrating its 300th anniversary.

Everything started three centuries ago, when an epidemic of the plague was decimating the population of the capital city. The inhabitants of Warsaw decided to walk to the Sanctuary of Our Lady in Częstochowa to ask for saving the city. The pilgrimage was penitential and imploratory in character: the pilgrims regretted their sins and implored Mary to help to combat the epidemic. The plague soon stopped and the inhabitants of Warsaw took a solemn vow to attend a yearly pilgrimage to Jasna Góra. They have kept their word.

Author: Wojciech Górny Text from the prospectus of the National Bank of Poland