There are over 40 churches and chapels strewn along field paths, among forested hills, all towered by the architecture of the Bernadine Monastery with its Mannerist Basilica, home to the Icon of Our Lady of Kalwaria famous for graces. It all began in 1600 from a foundation of the Kraków Voivode Mikołaj Zebrzydowski, who set up and financed the construction of stations of the Way of the Cross and the first chapel. Their situation among the rolling hills was to make reference to the landscape around Jerusalem. Most of the series of chapels were built in the first half of the 17th century, while the latest additions date back to the 19th century, always in harmony of composition with the surrounding landscape. This exceptional amalgamation of the natural lay of the land with sacred architecture became the premise for inscribing the landscape complex and pilgrimage park in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska on the World Heritage List UNESCO in 1999.

The sanctuary is among the most important venues of devotion to the Passion of Christ and to St Mary in Poland. On holidays and festive days processions follow the paths of Kalwaria (Calvary), and participation in the Mystery of the Passion of Christ staged in the Easter Week provides an exceptional spiritual experience.