(AKA Zamek Królewski na Wawelu)
The Wawel Castle’s history dates back over a thousand years. It was originally constructed in the 11th century as a fortified residence for the Polish monarchs. Over the centuries, it has undergone numerous renovations, expansions, and changes in architectural styles, reflecting Poland’s complex and turbulent history.
Medieval Origins: The castle’s origins can be traced to the reign of King Bolesław I the Brave, who built a modest stone castle on Wawel Hill in the 11th century. It served as a royal residence and fortress.
Gothic Splendor: In the 14th century, during the reign of King Casimir III the Great, the castle was rebuilt in the Gothic style. The most notable feature from this period is the Wawel Cathedral, a stunning example of Polish Gothic architecture, where many Polish kings were crowned and buried.
Renaissance Revival: The Renaissance period brought significant changes to the castle’s architecture. King Sigismund I and his son, Sigismund II Augustus, commissioned Italian architects to remodel various parts of the castle, resulting in the splendid Renaissance architecture you can see today.
Baroque and Beyond: The castle continued to evolve, incorporating elements of Baroque and other architectural styles over time. During the Polish partitions and subsequent periods of foreign rule, the castle’s role changed, and it suffered neglect.
Restoration: In the 20th century, after Poland regained independence, extensive restoration efforts were undertaken to return the castle to its former glory. The Wawel Royal Castle has since become a symbol of Polish heritage and national identity.
Visiting the Wawel Royal Castle is not only a journey through Poland’s history but also an opportunity to admire its architectural beauty. It stands as a testament to the country’s resilience and cultural heritage, making it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history, art, and architecture.
Visit Notes
This is a large complex where you’ll likely need to make choices about what you want to see. Their website is a great resource to tell you about the different areas you can visit and allows you to buy timed tickets in advance.
The outdoor portion of the complex itself is open for you to visit at any time. I spent a couple of mornings there, watching some Eurasian Kestrel juveniles (at least I think that’s what they were) and their mom. The security guards gave me funny looks until one of them finally spotted what I was photographing and then they all took turns coming over to take their own pictures.
We chose to view the Lost Wawel, the Armoury, and the Crown Treasury exhibits and we enjoyed them all. Lost Wawel has archaeological treasures found on site as well as original old foundations. There are pieces of columns and pediments, old fireplaces, and other carved stone treasures to be found. The Armoury and the Treasury are exactly what they sound like. The Armoury had an impressive array of weaponry, from halberds and maces, to canon and guns.
If you want to visit the Royal Cathedral, it has a separate website where you can purchase tickets. Photography is not allowed inside the cathedral, so I didn’t feel like going in. Sometimes I get salty about churches taking tourist money, and then acting like the place is so sacred you can’t take pictures inside. Decide whether you want to be a tourist attraction or not. Okay, rant over.
Our favorite part of the whole thing? The Polish Mint store. Both my daughter and one of our travel companions collect coins and the store was an excellent place to pick up a souvenir.
Details
9:00 – 18:00
Attraction opening days and times can change with no warning.
Always double-check information with the official website before making any plans
Photos
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Meticulous Meanderings 