Wawel Royal Castle

Why visit?

The Royal Castle on Wawel Hill was the principal residence of Poland's monarchs and is today one of the country's most important museums. The stronghold's origins go back to the 11th century, and its Renaissance shape with the arcaded courtyard took form in the early 16th century, when the Jagiellonian dynasty resided here. It was from this place that the Commonwealth was ruled for more than five centuries, until the court moved to Warsaw. The chambers hold the famous collection of Sigismund Augustus tapestries, originally numbering 136 pieces — one of the richest royal arras collections in Europe. Several independent routes are open to visitors: the royal chambers, the private apartments with the porcelain cabinet, the Crown Treasury with the Szczerbiec coronation sword, the Armoury with its collection of arms, and the undercrofts with the Lost Wawel exhibition. In summer the Royal Gardens are open, and at weekends family routes with a museum educator take place. The routes differ in price and character — from a quick visit to a full day for history lovers. Exhibitions run Tuesday to Sunday (September–December 9:00–17:00), and on Mondays selected displays are free of charge from 10:00 to 16:00 with a limited pool of tickets at the box offices. A full ticket for both castle floors costs 95 zl (concession 71 zl), single floors 57 zl, and the Treasury, Armoury and undercrofts 47 zl each. Private apartments are sold with an assigned entry time and a daily limit of places — online tickets appear a month ahead and on the day at bilety.wawel.krakow.pl. Allow about three hours to see two or three routes at a relaxed pace.

What you’ll see

• Arkadowy dziedziniec renesansowego zamku Jagiellonów
• Arrasy Zygmunta Augusta — królewska kolekcja tkanin
• Skarbiec Koronny ze Szczerbcem i mieczem koronacyjnym
• Apartamenty prywatne z gabinetem porcelanowym
• Darmowe poniedziałki na wybranych wystawach

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