Page 63 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Krakow

KR AK OW AREA B Y AREA  61
WAWEL HILL

One of Krakow’s – and Poland’s – most interior of the cathedral. The capital was
important sites, Wawel Hill has a chequered moved from Krakow to Warsaw at the end
history that dates back to ancient times. of the 16th century and, although royal
Once inhabited by the Vistulan people, it coronations and funeral ceremonies
was first designated the seat of political continued to take place at Wawel, the site
power by Kazimierz the Restorer, and later steadily entered a period of decline. From
became the official royal residence for 1795, it became home not to rulers but
Poland’s kings and queens in the 14th to the military: the Austrian army were
century. As rulers moved into Wawel, garrisoned here until the early 20th century
they each made their own additions and and during World War II it became the
changes to the castle and cathedral, and headquarters of the Nazi Governor General.
both are a veritable mixture of architectural Fortunately, substantial restoration work
styles, from the Romanesque to the from the mid-20th century has seen Wawel
Baroque. The Renaissance-style castle regain its former magnificence, and it
courtyard is a highlight as is the electic remains a major stop for visitors to the city.

Sights at a Glance
Churches
3 Wawel Cathedral pp66–71
Historic Sights, Buildings
and Monuments
0 metres 100
1 Fortifications and Towers
2 Statue of Tadeusz Kościuszko 0 yards 100
7 Archaeological Site
8 Dragon’s Lair
Museums
4 Cathedral Museum
5 Wawel Royal Castle pp72–3 P O D Z A M C Z E
6 “Lost Wawel” Exhibition Ś W . I D Z I E G O

W A WEL
B E R N A R D Y Ń S K A

V i s t ul a

See also Street Finder
maps 3, 5 & 6
The grounds of Wawel Cathedral, on Wawel Hill For keys to symbols see back flap