Funkcja turystyczna Lichenia Starego, czyli od miejsca kultu o znaczeniu lokalnym do nowej przestrzeni turystyczno-sakralnej

Tourist function of Licheń Stary – from local place of religious cult to new tourist-sacred space

The tourism function development is shaped by many factors, mostly of endogenic character. Village of Licheń Stary is the example of functional transformation – from rural village to a pilgrimage centre. The history of Licheń Stary as the pilgrimage centre began in 1850, when the Virgin Mary’s revelations in Grąbliński Forest took place. Now, about 1.5 million pilgrims and tourists arrive yearly to the Licheń sanctuary, thus village is one of the largest sanctuaries in Poland. The largest church in Poland and surrounding space are unique. More and more people arrive to Licheń sanctuary not only to pray and experience God, but also to see this peculiar object, to rest or spend the leisure time with family. So, their visits to Licheń are not caused only by religious motivations. Thus, religious function of Licheń sanctuary is mixed with the tourist one. Needs of pilgrims and tourists became the factor of tourist facilities development. There are three churches, many smaller chapels and monuments, via dolorosa, and tourist facilities, like : accommodation, catering, car parkings and souvenir shops. It is the space where the sacrum and profanum is mixed.