Wawel Cathedral

Known in full as Królewska Bazylika Archikatedralna śś. Stanisława i Wacława na Wawelu, or the "Royal Archcathedral Basilica of Saints Stanislaus and Wenceslaus on Wawel Hill". On 2 Nov 1946 a talented young priest called Karol Wojtyla conducted his first mass here, the day after his ordination; he went on to become the city's bishop, Pope John Paul II, and a modern Saint. The building is Gothic, built from 14th C. Several crypts and chapels house the remains of Poland's monarchs, nobility, heroes and poets. The Sigismund Tower, ascended by rickety wooden steps, contains the huge Sigismund Bell. The Holy Cross chapel and the Queen Sophia chapel to the right and left of the main entrance (although they are at the entrance if you follow the standard walking tour you don't see them until near the end) are both of great interest, the Holy Cross chapel has 14th century frescoes and the red marble sarcophagus of King Casimir IV Jagiellon while the Queen Sophia chapel is also very lavishly decorated, however they are not the only gems even the casual tourist will find sights of great interest at every turn. Allow at least 1 hour for a visit. Don't forget the small John Paul II museum just across the yard.

• museum
• history

Hours

Mon-Sat 09:00-16:00, Sun 12:30-16:00

Price

25 zł

Website

katedra-wawelska.pl (opens in a new tab)