Cyclists set off on an over 600 km pilgrimage from Szczecin in the northwest of Poland to the Black Madonna in Częstochowa.

The destination of the 260 cyclists is the Marian Sanctuary of Our Lady of Jasna Góra, or the Black Madonna, Poland's popular pilgrimage spot, attracting hundreds of thousands every year.

Most pilgrims that arrive in Częstochowa, come either on foot, or by vehicles, from scores of locations around Poland.

The group on bicycles is departing from Szczecin for the sixteenth year in a row. (jn)