John Paul II Monument in Sosnowiec

The John Paul II Monument in Sosnowiec stands in Papal Square (plac Papieski) on Gwiezdna Street. It commemorates the pope's pilgrimage to Sosnowiec on 14 June 1999, during his seventh pilgrimage to Poland, which about 320,000 people attended.

The sculpture

The monument is by the Kraków sculptor Jan Funek. The figure is cast in iron and is 4.5 metres tall and weighs 1,345 kg. Together with the reinforced concrete pedestal the whole is 9 metres high. The unveiling and blessing took place on 14 June 2006, and the blessing was performed by the Bishop of Sosnowiec, Adam Śmigielski.

The plinth known as the barge

In 2009-2010 a concrete structure called the “barge” was built beneath the monument. The coats of arms of 24 towns and municipalities of the Sosnowiec diocese were placed on its sides.

Practical information

• Address: Papal Square (plac Papieski), Gwiezdna Street, Sosnowiec.
• The monument stands in an open square, accessible without a ticket.