Feb 03 2009
Krakow, Poland: The Wawel
The Wawel is a popular tourist destination in Krakow that has played a vital role in Poland’s history. The area includes a cathedral, castle, and a dragon’s cave and visitors should allow three hours to visit all three areas.
Cathedral
Next to the Vistula River, the Wawel hill was formed about 150 million years ago and construction on the cathedral began in 1018. The current cathedral, however, is actually the third church constructed there and was finished in 1364. Inside the cathedral are numerous tombstones, altarpieces, and small chapels. Visitors can climb several narrow wooden steps to the Sigismund Tower to see the 11 ton bell, the largest in Poland. Crypts in the cathedral house kings, Polish national heroes, and poets.
Mass is held on Sundays and holidays, but visitors can tour the cathedral between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.—tickets for the visit can be purchased at the small office directly across from the church.
Castle
The castle served as the central location for much of Poland’s royal and political past. The original small residence at Wawel was built in the early 11th century, but it burned down in 1499. A new palace was built 30 years later and the structure and courtyard are well-preserved.
Visitors can tour the Royal Chambers to see how the royalty used to live with a large collection of valuable and impressive tapestries, the Crown Treasury with jewels and insignia from past coronations, and a few other exhibitions such as the Lost Wawel and the Exhibition of Oriental Art. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office; there are a limited number of tickets available each day, so tickets may run out in the afternoon hours during the summer.
Dragon’s Cave
The Dragon’s Cave, only open during the summer months, offer a panoramic view of the River and Krakow and a bronze statue built to honor the legend of Krakow’s Dragon.
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Photo by Jennifer L. Price, www.jenniferlprice.com
