The specific nature of functioning of the centres where large religious events are organized

The functioning of the centres, where the places of religious worship are located, is connected with the occurrence of periodic impediments resulting from the large influx of pilgrims in selected periods, so called pilgrimage peaks. The research conducted is aimed at developing a functioning model of the centres in which large religious events are organized on a regular basis to facilitate more effective involvement of the city residents in providing services for arriving pilgrims – tourists and to contribute to the sustainable development of the centres with similar characteristics. The article presents selected procedures related to the organization and securing of seasonal pilgrimages and analysis of preparations for the celebration of the World Youth Day in Czestochowa, as well as presents the considerations on functioning of the city during this period.