Zabawa has two distinct historical focal points: the Sanctuary of Blessed Karolina represents its spiritual heritage, while Military Cemetery No. 260 commemorates the First World War. Other features include an outdoor adventure game, an annual tent retreat and a stop at the Dakota aircraft wreck listed in a municipal cycling tour audio guide. This distinction can help you choose a theme for your trip: the sanctuary focuses on Karolina and the town’s spiritual heritage, while the cemetery focuses on soldiers’ graves and a different form of commemoration.

Sanctuary of Blessed Karolina

In 2002, the parish church in Zabawa was elevated to the status of a sanctuary. On 10 November 2002, an exhibition dedicated to the life, martyrdom and veneration of Blessed Karolina was set up in the church. These two details refer to different things in the same year: the church’s elevation to sanctuary status and the establishment of the exhibition. Its subject is clearly defined and focuses on Karolina.

The sanctuary grounds are also the setting for the outdoor adventure game “Odkryj Skarby Zabawy.” It introduces visitors to notable places connected with Blessed Karolina, regional history and the spiritual heritage of this place. The game therefore covers more than the exhibition: alongside Karolina and her story, it includes other places and regional history. This is what distinguishes the exhibition’s narrowly defined subject from the game’s broader range of topics.

Retreat and the Camino de Santiago

“Miasteczko Modlitewne” is a seven-day tent retreat held in the fields near the sanctuary. Each year, the event brings together around 200 young people there. Its duration and tent-based format distinguish it from the outdoor adventure game. If the retreat is a deciding factor in your stay, check the specific event dates before planning your accommodation.

On 12 June 2026, the municipality announced that the sanctuary had officially been included on the Camino de Santiago. This pilgrimage route leads to Santiago de Compostela and is one of Europe’s best-known pilgrimage routes. If you wish to use the sanctuary’s inclusion on the Camino de Santiago when planning your own trip, check the route arrangements before travelling.

Military Cemetery No. 260

Military Cemetery No. 260, dating from the First World War, is in the centre of Zabawa, next to the parish cemetery. This location provides two specific reference points: the town centre and the neighbouring cemetery. The site has a regular hexagonal layout, and six tall, uninscribed gravestones stand on its grounds. Its historical context also includes the graves believed to be there of 77 Austro-Hungarian, 11 German and 9 Russian soldiers. The attribution is expressly described as probable. The location, layout and gravestones describe the cemetery in different ways: geographically, geometrically and through its burials.

A stop on the cycling tour audio guide

A municipal audio guide for a cycling tour lists the Dakota aircraft wreck as a stop in Zabawa. The page containing this route information is dated 12 June 2019. If you would like to include the stop in a specific ride, check the route arrangements in advance.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Paleśnica, Wał-Ruda, Ryglice, Pleśna, Ołpiny, Ładna, Wojnicz, Zakliczyn.

For the broader travel overview: Tarnów.