Wawel Cathedral
Krakow, Poland
Krakow
Lesser Poland Voivodeship
Poland
Considered as the most important building in Poland, Wawel Cathedral in Krakow contains much that is original, although many glorious additions have been made over the centuries.
The interior of Wawel Cathedral more than makes up for its visual shortcomings thanks to the sheer amount of history packed inside. At its centre is the imposing tomb of the former Bishop of Kraków, St. Stanisław (1030-1079), a suitably grand monument dedicated to the controversial cleric after whom the Cathedral is dedicated.
The Royal Crypts offer a cold and atmospheric diversion as the final resting place of kings and statesmen – most recently former president Lech Kaczyński – while at the top of a gruelling wooden series of staircases is the vast, 11 tonne Sigismund Bell - so loud it can supposedly be heard 50km away.
The Royal Archcathedral Basilica of Saints Stanislaus and Wenceslaus on the Wawel Hill (Polish: Krolewska Bazylika Archikatedralna ss. Stanislawa i Waclawa na Wawelu), also known as the Wawel Cathedral (Polish: Katedra Wawelska), is a Roman Catholic church located on Wawel Hill in Krakow, Poland. More than 900 years old, it is the Polish national sanctuary and traditionally has served as coronation site of the Polish monarchs as well as the Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Krakow. Karol Wojtyla, who in 1978 became Pope John Paul II, the day after his ordination to the priesthood, offered his first Mass as a priest in the Crypt of the Cathedral on 2 November 1946, and was ordained Krakow's auxiliary bishop in the Cathedral on 28 September 1958.The current, Gothic cathedral, is the third edifice on this site: the first was constructed and destroyed in the 11th century; the second one, constructed in the 12th century, was destroyed by a fire in 1305. The construction of the current one began in the 14th century on the orders of bishop Nanker.
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User reviews
Robert
The buildings and grounds were beautifully preserved. The exhibitions professionally presented. The polish people were very friendly. I would recommend Krakow along side any European capital.
MadeBy
Worth the walk up to see this area. Great views of the city and water from the top of the hill. Many of the kings are buried here. King Sigismund is buried under the Golden dome, which is covered in actual gold
Pietro
The cathedral is richly decorated and full of funeral monuments dedicated to the powerful who have made the history of Poland. Almost more of a tribute to them rather than to the godhead. Well worth a visit.
Oscar
Go up the bell tower is worth the worth and is not so expensive that top hood is inside out there is.surprising to know that 30 people are needed to make it sound
Roman
A must-see in Krakow. Beautiful architecture
juhana
Beautiful from the outside and nice garden. From the inside too fancy and not a clear look, a bit too confusing. Free of charge, and so crowded.
Alberto
Stunning Cathedral, lovely. You can distinguish the buildings of different epochs stuck between if.
Liam
I took the audio tour of the cathedral and it was an amazing tour. With a rich history and a detailed tour. A great place to visit.
Frowin
Many people but really interresting building with a great view from the belltower.
Markus
Crowded but absolutely worth seeing
Wilber
Jeroen
See
Matt
elias
A nice visit, but that photo prohibited
Joao
The dark interior of Wawel Cathedral contains no less than 18 chapels full of religious art. The most notable of these is the Kaplica Zygmuntowska (Sigismund Chapel), built 1517-33 by the Florentine architect Bartolomeo Berrecci. The chapel houses the tombs of King Sigismund, King Sigismund II Augustus and Anna Jagiellonka.
Easily identifiable on the exterior by its golden dome, the Sigismund Chapel is considered to be the finest Renaissance chapel north of the Alps. The sculptures, stuccos and paintings were designed by some of the most renowned artists of the age, including the architect Berrecci, Georg Pencz, Santi Gucci and Hermann Vischer.
Dominating the nave of the cathedral is the mausoleum of St. Stanislav, Poland's patron saint. The 11th-century Krakow bishop was murdered by King Boleslav II. The saint's silver coffin (circa 1670) is adorned with 12 relief scenes from his life and posthumous miracles. Marble tombs of four 17th-century Krakow prelates adjoin that of their predecessor.
Since 1037, Wawel Cathedral has been the burial place of Polish kings, even after the capital moved to Warsaw. The royal tombs of all but four of Poland's 45 rulers can be seen in the cathedral's side chapels and in the 12th-century St. Leonard's Crypt. King Kazimierz the Great's tomb is to the right of the main altar, made of red marble
