Wawel Castle is located on Wawel Hill overlooking the Vistula River in Krakow, Poland. It has served as the royal residence for Polish kings for over 600 years. The oldest parts of the castle date to the 11th century, but it has since been rebuilt multiple times in various architectural styles. Today, the castle houses a museum and is one of the most important cultural institutions and tourist attractions in Poland.

2. WawelWawel
Wawel in Krakow is a hill on which the Royal Castle isWawel in Krakow is a hill on which the Royal Castle is
situated. The hill is near the bank of the Vistula River.situated. The hill is near the bank of the Vistula River.
The castle was rebuilt in the Renaisance style by QueenThe castle was rebuilt in the Renaisance style by Queen
Bona, who came from Italy.Bona, who came from Italy.
It served as the Royal residence for more than 600 years.It served as the Royal residence for more than 600 years.
The castle has five residential towers and a beautiful gate.The castle has five residential towers and a beautiful gate.

3. HISTORYHISTORY
Wawel castleWawel castle was thewas the rresidenceesidence of Polishof Polish
princeprincess and kings from the mid-11and kings from the mid-11thth
centurycentury
until the end of the 16until the end of the 16thth
century.century. Wawel's firstWawel's first
brick fortifications were erected in the mid-13brick fortifications were erected in the mid-13thth
century bycentury by princeprince Bolesław Wstydliwy.Bolesław Wstydliwy. AA
defence system adapted to the use of fire-defence system adapted to the use of fire-
arms was ordered by King Władysław Jagiełło.arms was ordered by King Władysław Jagiełło.
During the reign of Kazimierz Jagiellończyk,During the reign of Kazimierz Jagiellończyk,
two high towers were added on the south side.two high towers were added on the south side.
A major eA major enlargementnlargement of the royal residenceof the royal residence
took place during the reign of Zygmunt Stary.took place during the reign of Zygmunt Stary.

4. A three-winged Renaissance castleA three-winged Renaissance castle courtyardcourtyardwith three levels of openwith three levels of open
galleries was builtgalleries was built in the 16th century. Itsin the 16th century. Its fourth side was enclosed byfourth side was enclosed by
a wall crowned with an attic. New interior decorating works were done ina wall crowned with an attic. New interior decorating works were done in
the castle as well.the castle as well.
During the reign ofDuring the reign of kingking Zygmunt III Waza a majorZygmunt III Waza a major part of the castlepart of the castle waswas
destroyed indestroyed in aa fire.fire. Royal court moved to Warsaw then but coronationRoyal court moved to Warsaw then but coronation
ceremonies still took place in Wawel Cathedral.ceremonies still took place in Wawel Cathedral.
After the third partition of Poland,After the third partition of Poland, in 1795in 1795 CracowCracow became the part ofbecame the part of
Austria.Austria. Wawel was turned into army barracks and new bastionnedWawel was turned into army barracks and new bastionned
fortifications were added.fortifications were added.
In 1905 the castle was purchased by the Polish people and underwentIn 1905 the castle was purchased by the Polish people and underwent
major conservation and reconstruction works.major conservation and reconstruction works.
After World War I, the authorities of the newly independent Polish SecondAfter World War I, the authorities of the newly independent Polish Second
Republic decided that Wawel Castle was to become a representativeRepublic decided that Wawel Castle was to become a representative
building of the Polish state and would be used by the Governor and laterbuilding of the Polish state and would be used by the Governor and later
by the President himself.by the President himself.IIn 1921 the Polish Parliament passed a resolutionn 1921 the Polish Parliament passed a resolution
which gave Wawel official status as the residence of the President ofwhich gave Wawel official status as the residence of the President of
Poland.Poland.
Following the ravages of World War II, by the decree of the State NationalFollowing the ravages of World War II, by the decree of the State National
Council, Wawel Castle became a national museum.Council, Wawel Castle became a national museum.
Today the castle is a museum and one of the biggest tourist attractions inToday the castle is a museum and one of the biggest tourist attractions in
CracowCracow

5. 55thth
century - the Slavs settled in the basin of the Vistula and Wartacentury - the Slavs settled in the basin of the Vistula and Warta
RiversRivers
99thth
century - Vistulans tribecentury - Vistulans tribe createdcreated aa statestate with a capital inwith a capital in CrCraaccowow
Year 1000Year 1000 - the establishment of a bishopric in- the establishment of a bishopric in CCraraccow; the firstow; the first
Wawel CathedralWawel Cathedral was built near the royal palatium on the Wawel hillwas built near the royal palatium on the Wawel hill
10391039 -- CCraraccow becow becaammee the capital of Polthe capital of Polandand
11381138 - Prince Boleslaw- Prince Boleslaw Krzywousty inKrzywousty in his testament dividehis testament dividedd thethe
country into districts;country into districts; CCraraccow and its surroundingsow and its surroundings became thebecame the partpart
ofof the senior district andthe senior district and werewere the seat of the rulers of the Statethe seat of the rulers of the State
12411241 - The first Tatar invasion of- The first Tatar invasion of CCraraccow, the cityow, the city waswas severelyseverely
damageddamaged

6. 19.05.2014
13201320 - Władysław Łokietek was the first Polish king crowned in- Władysław Łokietek was the first Polish king crowned in
thethe WawelWawel CathedralCathedral
13641364 – Kazimierz Wielki (Casimir the Great)– Kazimierz Wielki (Casimir the Great) foundedfounded the Cracowthe Cracow
Academy, the firstAcademy, the first universityuniversity in Polandin Poland
15181518 ––Renaissance in Poland started with the marriage of kingRenaissance in Poland started with the marriage of king
Zygmunt I (Sigismund I) with an Italian princessZygmunt I (Sigismund I) with an Italian princess Bona SforzaBona Sforza forfor
whom the king rebuilt the castle and redecorated the interiors.whom the king rebuilt the castle and redecorated the interiors.
Italian influenceItalian influencess changechangedd PolishPolish art, architecture,art, architecture, fashionfashion, music,, music,
and cuisineand cuisine (Polish(Polish cookscooks startedstarted to use parsley, leeksto use parsley, leeks, olive oil,, olive oil,
savoy cabbagesavoy cabbage and lots of spices)and lots of spices)
16091609 - King Zygmunt III Waza moved his court permanently to- King Zygmunt III Waza moved his court permanently to
Warsaw, which becWarsaw, which becameame thethe newnew seat of Polish kingsseat of Polish kings. However the. However the
coronation ceremonies still took place in the Wawel Cathedral.coronation ceremonies still took place in the Wawel Cathedral.

7. Wawel Castle in Krakow, considered one of the most important Polish monuments.
Old residence of Polish kings has got an area of 7040m2. The oldest buildings on
the Wawel Hill were built in the eleventh century, during the reign of the first
Polish king Boleslaw Chrobry.
The castle was often rebuilt in many different architectural styles. Today the main
part of the castle is designed mostly in the Renaissance, Baroque and a bit of a
classic style. The Royal Palace has got two floors with a beautiful renaissance
courtyard. There are also five residential towers, a Cathedral and a gate leading to
the hill.
DESCRIPTION OF THEDESCRIPTION OF THE
CASTLECASTLE
In this picture, Wawel castle is shown at night. It’s beautifully illuminated.In this picture, Wawel castle is shown at night. It’s beautifully illuminated.

8. Courtyard of the Wawel Castle

9. Legend of the Wawel Dragon !!!
The legend tells about Wawel Dragon. It used to live inThe legend tells about Wawel Dragon. It used to live in
a cave beneath the castla cave beneath the castlee. For a long time the dragon. For a long time the dragon
kidnapped and ate young girls and cattle. Prince Krakkidnapped and ate young girls and cattle. Prince Krak
announced, that he would give half of the kingdom andannounced, that he would give half of the kingdom and
his daughter to a person who killed the Dragon. Bravehis daughter to a person who killed the Dragon. Brave
shoemaker stuffed a skin of a sheep with sulfur and heshoemaker stuffed a skin of a sheep with sulfur and he
gave it to the dragon to eat it. The trick was successfulgave it to the dragon to eat it. The trick was successful
and the kingdom was saved.and the kingdom was saved.

10. Interesting factsInteresting facts!!!!!!
There are manyThere are many tombstombs of famousof famous PolishPolish kingskings, national, national
heroesheroes and saints in theand saints in the crypts beneath thecrypts beneath the WawelWawel
CathedralCathedral.. The most recent addition is the tomb ofThe most recent addition is the tomb of
ppresident Lech Kaczyński and his wiferesident Lech Kaczyński and his wife, who died in the, who died in the
plane crash in 2010.plane crash in 2010.

11. Exhibits in the castle of MuseumExhibits in the castle of Museum
There are many different things and clothes in theThere are many different things and clothes in the
Wawel museum. You can see royal crown and coutsWawel museum. You can see royal crown and couts
of ex- kings of Poland in the King's Hall.There is aof ex- kings of Poland in the King's Hall.There is a
unique collection of interesting pieces of art in theunique collection of interesting pieces of art in the
Treasury Hall. You can see some of the things of JohnTreasury Hall. You can see some of the things of John
Paul II in the Pope's hall.Paul II in the Pope's hall.

12. Autor : Zygmunt Put Zetpe0202
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