Any tourist journey through Krakow begins with the Royal Castle on Wawel. For Poland, this castle has the same significance as for Russia - the Kremlin. Only the Kremlin remains the main symbol of statehood, but the castle lost its status after the capital was transferred from Krakow to Warsaw.

Wawel Castle for several centuries of existence has experienced many masters: it was home to Polish kings, Austrian military, visited by Lithuanians, housed the Germans during World War II. But whatever happened, he was still a part of Poland and its history.

The castle is a whole architectural ensemble. The royal chambers are next to the chapels, the most famous of them is the chapel of Zygmund. It is not very similar to a temple, rather, to a secular Renaissance building.

In the chapel hangs a huge bell of Sigmund. According to the belief, one can only see the bell once and make one wish by choosing either money or love.

Also on the territory of the castle is the famous Cathedral of Saints Stanislaus and Wenceslas. At the entrance to it hang bones of the mammoth, which, according to legend, bring happiness to the city. In the cathedral there is a tomb of Polish kings and the Altar of Motherland - a sacred place where monarchs pinned military trophies.

Wawel Cathedral St. Stanislaus and Wenceslas, Royal Castle

Royal Castle at night

View of Wawel Hill from Vistula, Royal Castle

Interior of the Wawel Cathedral, Royal Castle

Reviews of the Royal Castle in Krakow (3)

Evaluation 10

Royal beauty of the royal castle October 30, 2014

Len_Chik

was here in August 2014

Wawel is one of the most beautiful castles I've ever visited. He towers above the city, so elegant and monumental at the same time. And when you get to the castle's territory, it seems that the architecture of all countries and peoples is collected here. We were in the castle early in the morning and late at night, when there are fewer tourists. In the ticket office of the castle there were queues all the time. What can you do, August - the high season. The entrance to the castle is free, to the Cathedral, which is on the castle's territory, you can also go for free. A ... Read full review

Evaluation 10

Wawel Castle - the central attraction of Krakow May 29, 2014

Vika

was here in May 2013

In the center of Krakow there is a large pedestrian zone - this is the Royal Castle. Not far from the entrance is a strange sculpture - the Wawel dragon, a favorite place for photoshoots of tourists. According to legend, this monster lived in a cave and threatened the lives of local residents, but the king defeated him. Now every five minutes the dragon spews a flame, which brings children and adults into raptures. The castle itself is located on a hill and towers above the Vistula River. Territory is quite large, many flowers, very nice ... Read the whole review

Evaluation 10

Royal luxury in the air December 02, 2013

Niktorianna

was here in July 2012

Wawel is the castle that you want to go to, because the greatness that envelops it attracts anyone who is nearby.
This is certainly the most popular attraction of Krakow, so if you have the opportunity to come here on weekdays, not a day off, use it, because then there is a high probability that you go to see exactly those parts of the castle that you want, not the ones , which remained tickets. In general, the castle offers several options for visiting: ... Read the whole review