Distance from Stradonia: approx. 5–7 minutes on foot.

Wawel Royal Castle

Wawel Royal Castle along with the Wawel Hill is one of the most important places of historical and cultural significance in Poland. For centuries it was the residence of kings and remains a symbol of Polish statehood to this day. In 1930, the Castle also became one of the most important museums in the country, housing valuable collections of paintings, graphics and sculptures. Visitors can view both permanent and seasonal exhibitions as well as temporary exhibitions.

Permanent Exhibitions:

• Representative Royal Chambers
• Private Royal Apartments
• Crown Treasury
• Crown Treasury and Armory
• Armory
• Eastern Art. Turkish Tents
• Lost Wawel
• Recovered Wawel

Seasonal routes, available exclusively as part of guided tours:

• Lost Wawel and St. Gereon’s Church
• Wawel – The Most Valuable
• Crown Wawel
• Wawel – Private Royal Residence
• Wawel after Hours
• Wawel Dragonlings
• Open Your Eyes to Wawel

Wawel Cathedral

The Wawel Cathedral has served for centuries not only a sacred function but also a representative and trophy role. It was here that the solemn coronations and burials of Polish kings and outstanding historical figures took place.

The cathedral contains many elements of particular historical and artistic significance, including:

• Sigismund Tower
• Silver Bells Tower
• Clock Tower
• Sigismund Bell – the heaviest bell in Poland, hand-rung on church holidays, state occasions and important patriotic events
• Sigismund Chapel, called the "pearl of the Renaissance on the other side of the Alps"
• Holy Cross Chapel – an example of 15th-century Gothic art, with the tomb of King Casimir Jagiellon sculpted by Veit Stoss
• Crypts of Polish kings and national heroes
• Crypts of Polish poets, including Adam Mickiewicz and Juliusz Słowacki

Royal Gardens

When visiting the Wawel Hill, it is also worth visiting the Royal Gardens. They have been reconstructed based on many years of research and analysis, with a clear reference to Renaissance garden design. The selection of plants, planting layout and garden architectural elements evoke the atmosphere of a bygone era.

The gardens consist of two terraces — upper and lower — and small vineyards. A walk through them, especially in spring during the flowering period, is one of the most pleasant experiences accompanying a visit to Wawel.