Historic Wawel Castle in Krakow, Poland with its attached Wawel Cathedral is perch high on Wawel Hill, and we were very excited as we walked up the hill to its entrance. This is where we found that a line was forming for tickets. We happened to be in Krakow on a holiday weekend, so we had planned to be at the castle first thing in the morning.
This proved to be fortuitous because the ticket line was already getting long and we found to our surprise that a large electronic board was constantly updated with how many of the day’s limited tickets were left for sale. Due to conservation efforts only a limited number of visitors are allowed each day. The first frizzon of anxiety began to niggle me and Jim as usual began to see the worst happening…. that we wouldn’t get in!
As we stood watching the line in front of us crawl at a snail’s pace, the ticket board steadily counted down and our anxiety grew. The castle complex buildings and its museums are considered separate entities and you must purchase a ticket for each you wish to visit as well as the cathedral. This process greatly increases the amount of time each transaction takes.
Tickets to see the actual royal apartments of the castle are the most restrictive because entrance is via a guided group tour and we kept a keen eye on the tiny allotment as it steadily diminished.
We managed to finally get our tickets when there were only 18 tour tickets left for the day. Whew!
As we stood watching the line in front of us crawl at a snail’s pace, the ticket board steadily counted down and our anxiety grew. The castle complex buildings and its museums are considered separate entities and you must purchase a ticket for each you wish to visit as well as the cathedral. This process greatly increases the amount of time each transaction takes.
Tickets to see the actual royal apartments of the castle are the most restrictive because entrance is via a guided group tour and we kept a keen eye on the tiny allotment as it steadily diminished.
We managed to finally get our tickets when there were only 18 tour tickets left for the day. Whew!
With relief, we finally walked through the arched portico of the castle wall and into the huge courtyard, only to find that photography was forbidden inside the castle and cathedral. The only place where photos were allowed was outside.
To a travel blogger this is terrible news and as you can imagine I was incredibly frustrated even as I was actually freed up to enjoy the beautiful cathedral, castle rooms and exhibits to a degree I don’t usually experience when I'm busy taking photos!
To a travel blogger this is terrible news and as you can imagine I was incredibly frustrated even as I was actually freed up to enjoy the beautiful cathedral, castle rooms and exhibits to a degree I don’t usually experience when I'm busy taking photos!
People have lived on Wawel Hill from as early as fifty thousand years ago, in the Paleolithic Age. Over time, more people began to build on the hill overlooking the Vistula River and eventually a settlement bustling with trade, assorted crafts and local farming was created.
Beginning from this small hamlet, Krakow became the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. The city dates back to the 7th century and Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centers of Polish economic, academic, cultural, and artistic life.
The settlement was already being reported as a busy trading center of “Slavonic Europe” by 965 a.d. As trade through area became more efficient and important, the rulers of Poland took up their residence at the Hill as well. It was the capital of the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland from 1038 to 1569. It continued to be a seat of Polish government for centuries.
Beginning from this small hamlet, Krakow became the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. The city dates back to the 7th century and Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centers of Polish economic, academic, cultural, and artistic life.
The settlement was already being reported as a busy trading center of “Slavonic Europe” by 965 a.d. As trade through area became more efficient and important, the rulers of Poland took up their residence at the Hill as well. It was the capital of the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland from 1038 to 1569. It continued to be a seat of Polish government for centuries.
The Gothic castle was built Casimir III (The Great), who reigned from 1333 to 1370, and consisted of a number of structures situated around the central courtyard. In the 14th century it was rebuilt by Jogaila and Jadwiga of Poland and defensive walls and towers were added. Their reign saw the addition of the tower called the Hen's Foot (Kurza Stopka) and the Danish Tower. Other structures were built on the hill during that time as well, in order to serve as quarters for the numerous clergy, royal clerks and craftsmen.
Below: Sigismund III Vasa Tower
Below: Hen's Foot Tower
During the early 16th century, King Sigismund I (The Old) and his wife brought in the best native and foreign artists including Italian architects, sculptors, and German decorators, to refurbish the castle into a splendid Renaissance palace.
In 1609, King Sigismund III Vasa moved the capital to Warsaw, and both the castle and other buildings fell into neglect. The Swedish invasions of 1655–1657 and 1702 contributed to the further deterioration of the castle and through the centuries, during the many conflicts, the castle and its fortifications continued to be modified to accommodate many different uses.
The royal apartments you can tour today are restored as they would have appeared in the 17th century. The state apartments are on the top (third) floor rather than the second like most European palaces. The castle’s second floor contained private apartments of the royal family, whereas the court officials worked and lived downstairs. The rooms are furnished with beautiful period furniture and world-class objects of art.
In 1609, King Sigismund III Vasa moved the capital to Warsaw, and both the castle and other buildings fell into neglect. The Swedish invasions of 1655–1657 and 1702 contributed to the further deterioration of the castle and through the centuries, during the many conflicts, the castle and its fortifications continued to be modified to accommodate many different uses.
The royal apartments you can tour today are restored as they would have appeared in the 17th century. The state apartments are on the top (third) floor rather than the second like most European palaces. The castle’s second floor contained private apartments of the royal family, whereas the court officials worked and lived downstairs. The rooms are furnished with beautiful period furniture and world-class objects of art.
"Credit - Above 2 interior photos - publishing house Karpaty, Andrzej Laczynski, Crakow "Wawel Castle and Cathedral"
The 14th century Royal Archcathedral Basilica of Saints Stanislaus and Wenceslaus, known as the Wawel Cathedral, is also located on Wawel Hill. It is a Catholic church and is the Polish national sanctuary. For centuries it has served as the coronation site of the Polish monarchs as well as the Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Krakow.
It is known in modern times as the place where Karol Wojtyla, who in 1978 became Pope John Paul II, was ordained to the priesthood on All Saints Day (November 1), 1946 and served his first mass inside the Crypt of the cathedral in 1948.
As you can imagine, the 17th century cathedral interior is spectacularly beautiful!
It is known in modern times as the place where Karol Wojtyla, who in 1978 became Pope John Paul II, was ordained to the priesthood on All Saints Day (November 1), 1946 and served his first mass inside the Crypt of the cathedral in 1948.
As you can imagine, the 17th century cathedral interior is spectacularly beautiful!
Credit - Above 2 interior photos - publishing house Karpaty, Andrzej Laczynski, Crakow "Wawel Castle and Cathedral"
The complex also has a small café with tables where you can find a drink and snack to break up your visits to the various museums and buildings of the castle. We enjoyed a leisurely sandwich and beer lunch while we people-watched in the large courtyard.
Wawel Castle is definitely a must-see when you visit Krakow, Poland, but to make your trip even more enjoyable, be sure to follow these suggestions:
- Try avoid visiting during a holiday weekend
- Make reservations ahead of your visit at the Tourist Service office
- Arrive early in the morning
- Opt for the guided tour (Polish/English only) of the royal apartments
- Remember, you must buy a separate ticket for each museum/castle/cathedral site in the complex.
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