Wawel Castle | History, Architecture & Must-See Highlights

Quick Information

ADDRESS

Wawel 5, 31-001 Kraków, Poland

RECOMMENDED DURATION

5 hours

Timings

10:00–16:00

VISITORS PER YEAR

2100000

TICKETS

From $8.31

NUMBER OF ENTRANCES

UNESCO YEAR

1978

Did you know?

The legend of the Wawel Dragon: One of the most famous legends associated with Wawel Castle is that of the Wawel Dragon. According to folklore, this dragon terrorized the city of Krakow until it was slain by the legendary hero, Krakus. Today, a statue of the Wawel Dragon stands at the foot of Wawel Hill, delighting visitors and keeping the legend alive.

The Sigismund Bell: The Sigismund Bell, housed in the Wawel Cathedral's Sigismund Tower, is one of the largest bells in Europe. Cast in 1520, the bell weighs over 13 tons and is renowned for its melodious tone. It is said in the local legends that when this bell rings, it brings good luck to those who hear it, making it a cherished symbol of the city’s heritage.

The Dragon’s Den: Beneath Wawel Hill lies a network of caves and tunnels known as the Dragon's Den. According to the local legends, this labyrinthine passageway was once the lair of the Wawel Dragon.

What to see at Wawel Castle, Krakow

Crown Treasury and Armoury

For weapon connoisseurs and history lovers alike, the castle’s Crown Treasury and Royal Armoury is a treasure trove. It houses the famous Szczerbiec (Jagged Sword) from Polish coronations and medieval weaponry like crossbows, lances, firearms, and cannons. Additionally, royal insignia, jewelry, and the Crown of Bolesław I the Brave are on display, showcasing Poland’s regal heritage.

State Rooms

Explore the Renaissance-inspired State Rooms on the second floor. Within this section, The Hall of Senators, once a venue for senate sessions and performances, now displays 16th-century Flemish tapestries. The Hall of Deputies features an intimate setting, with wooden benches arranged for parliamentary discussions and replicas of key documents like the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth’s constitution.

Royal private apartments

A tour of the royal private apartments will reveal stories that shaped the decisions and cultural legacy of Polish monarchs. Your guide will satisfy your curiosities with biblical, mythological, and allegorical representations of the Flemish tapestries collected by Zygmunt II Augustus. Don't miss the Hen’s Foot Tower, named for its three projecting buttresses, which is steeped in folklore and legends, adding an intriguing layer to your visit.

Lost Wawel

This exhibition showcases remnants from the 10th-century rotunda of Sts. Felix and Adauctus, a stone edifice in the form of a drum with four adjacent apses. This collection comprises artifacts like kitchenware, Renaissance stove tiles, and stone sculptures, obtained during conservation works and archaeological digs.

Exhibition of Oriental Art

This part of the castle is perfect for historians and guests interested in battles, weaponry, and antiques. Here, you’ll find treasures like intricate banners and weapons captured after the Battle of Vienna, Cracow-Paris carpets, 18th-century Imari ware, and Ottoman tent panels.

Wawel Cathedral

Dating back to the 10th century, Wawel Cathedral is one of Poland’s oldest churches and is considered the country’s spiritual heart. It houses the Royal Tombs, which contain the remains of monarchs, saints, and national heroes, and features intricate facades and stained glass panels. The historic Sigismund Bell, located in the bell tower, rings for special occasions.

Wawel Cathedral tickets

Dragon’s Den

Learn about the legend of the Wawel Dragon, a mythical fire-breathing creature that once menaced Kraków. Explore Dragon’s Den, the limestone cave beneath Wawel Hill, and uncover the story of Skuba, the apprentice who outsmarted the beast. The guided tour combines Kraków’s rich folklore with the natural beauty of the cave’s karst formations.

Interesting finds at the Wawel Royal Castle

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Weapons

Admire the Szczerbiec Sword, a symbol of Poland’s enduring spirit and solidarity. Get to see King Sigismund II Augustus’s geometric four-leaf armor, ordered by King Ferdinand I for his daughter’s marriage, is a masterpiece with an interlocking monogram. It is adorned with the initials "E" and "S”, representing the initials of their names.

Textiles

Most of the furnishings at Wawel Castle were influenced by the Renaissance era, with tapestries depicting historical events and achievements. The 18th-century cordovan tapestries feature earthen tones and depict majestic birds, flora, fauna, and mythological scenes. Two famous tapestries – “Story of a Knight with a Swan” and “Decius Mus’s Death” – can be found in the castle.

Furniture

If you love furniture, especially antiques, you can explore the castle’s collection of 1,500 pieces which includes thrones, beds, cabinets, mirrors, and clocks. Furniture was crafted from tortoiseshell, ivory-crusted ebony, and adorned with intricate inlay work, adding to the castle’s opulence. Many of the pieces were created by cabinet makers from Ile-de-France and Burgundy.

Metal artistry

The castle boasts a collection of sculptures, miniatures, vessels like bowls and cups, pitchers, candlesticks, and more. The metalwork is encrusted with jade, semi-precious stones, mountain crystal, and agate among other materials. The Lion figure in silver, the gold ornate chalice (goblet) – a gift from King Casimir the Great, and many other beautiful artifacts can be found at the Wawel royal castle.

Exhibitions at Wawel Castle, Krakow

Wawel Castle’s temporary exhibitions display cultural and historical artifacts, offering a unique glimpse into Poland’s heritage and artistic legacy.

The Painter’s Eye: Tadeusz Kuntze

Duration: November 29, 2024 – March 2, 2025

This exhibition takes you through Tadeusz Kuntze’s journey as an artist, his techniques, and how his works depict religious scenes. The 18th-century Polish painter also focused on the lives of rich aristocrats and poorer sections of society and used drawings and gouaches as a means to depict these.

Masterpieces from the Lanckoroński Collection: A Second Look

Duration: October 25, 2024 – February 2, 2025

Admire three Italian paintings in this collection, which have been a part of Karol Lanckoroński’s Viennese collection. The Annunciation is one of the paintings on display and you have to see it in depth to understand the style, color scheme, and what it depicts.

Long Live the King

Duration: 21 September, 2024 – 9 February, 2025

If you like a good timeline of how things unraveled from coronation to politics to funerals, this exhibition will help you time travel to Poland’s glorious past. Visitors can expect to see scenes from the coronation ceremonies to the funeral of the predecessor and familiarize themselves with events in the city of Krakow.

Two Epochs

Duration: September 21, 2024 – January 6, 2025

The two paintings by Marcin Maciejowski that you see at the Two Epochs are a contradiction between a lady frozen in time and a modern-day woman found within the interiors of the museum. The first lady seems to be in the old rooms of the Wawel Castle, and the new-age woman is sitting pensive, with an upward gaze leaving one curious. Cultural explorers and history enthusiasts, this is the place for you.

A visual guide to Wawel Royal Castle

Discover Wawel Castle, perched on the legendary Wawel Hill, where myths of a fire-breathing dragon meet centuries of Polish history.

History of Wawel Castle

Wawel Castle sits on Wawel Hill, which is known for its myth surrounding the fire-breathing dragon that roamed the countryside, consuming animals near the Vistula River. The castle’s earliest structures were built in the 11th century, which were then fortified by King Casimir III the Great during his reign from 1333 to 1370.

During the Jagiellon dynasty (1386–1572), Wawel Castle became a Renaissance residence when King Sigismund I (1506–1548) led major renovations after the fire of 1499. The magnificent Sigismund Chapel was also built during this time. It remained the royal residence until King Sigismund III Vasa moved the capital to Warsaw in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

The castle saw a period of decline during the partition of Poland in 1795. It passed into Austrian control and was used as a military citadel. It remained a symbol of Polish national identity throughout the 19th century. Finally, after Poland regained independence in the 20th century, restoration efforts began, leading to a major renovation.

Today, Wawel Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an important symbol of Poland’s rich history.

Architecture of Wawel Castle

Wawel Castle's Royal Apartments exterior in Krakow, Poland.

Wawel Castle showcases a variety of architectural styles used over the centuries, including Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque.

The castle’s earliest structures from the 10th century were built in the Romanesque style, with thick walls and rounded arches for stability and defense.
In the 14th century, King Ladislaus I the Short and his son Casimir III the Great replaced the existing structure with an impressive Gothic fortification. Gothic elements like pointed arches and ribbed vaults can be seen in the castle’s towers and some interior spaces.
Thick walls and three defensive towers were added to the castle’s fortifications in the 15th century, with elements like crenellations and arrow slits for protection.
King Sigismund I and his Italian Queen Bona Sforza rebuilt the castle in the 16th century in the Renaissance style, which can be seen in the central courtyard, with its symmetrical arches, classical columns, arcades, and frescoes. Italian architect Bartolommeo Berrecci, who crafted the iconic Sigismund Chapel, and Santi Gucci, who worked on Wawel Cathedral and also designed many royal tombs, were instrumental in this reconstruction.
Baroque influences, such as heavily decorative facades and elaborate details, were added in the 17th century.

Frequently asked questions about Wawel Castle

Can I explore Wawel Castle with a guided tour? How can I book one?

Yes, guided tours are available and they’re the best way to tour the castle complex. You can book your Wawel Castle tickets online, which will let you choose a date and time and guarantee your entry.

Are there audio guides available to tour the castle?

Yes, there are multilingual audio guides available in English, Polish, Ukrainian, German, French, Italian and Spanish. These are available for different sections of the castle.

Are there any discounts available on Wawel Castle tickets?

Children between the ages of 7 and 18 are eligible for discounted tickets. Children aged 0 to 6 years enjoy free entry.

Is Wawel Castle accessible by wheelchair?

Wawel Castle is wheelchair accessible, though some areas may have limited access due to the castle’s historic nature and architectural layout.

Is photography allowed at the Wawel Royal Castle?

Yes, photography is allowed in most sections of the castle, but do look out for signs or guidelines that may impose restrictions in some areas.