Wawel Royal

Wawel Royal Castle is a castle residency located in central Kraków, Poland. The castle, being one of the largest in Poland, represents nearly all European architectural styles of medieval, renaissance and baroque periods. The Wawel Royal Castle and the Wawel Hill constitute the most historically and culturally significant site in the country.

History

The first historical ruler Mieszko I of Poland of the Piast dynasty and his successors: Boleslaw I the Brave and Mieszko II Lambert, chose Wawel to be one of their residences. At the same time Wawel became one of the principal Polish centres of Christianity.

Architecture

The castle is made up of a number of structures situated around the Italian-styled main courtyard. The architecture of Wawel is a mix of nearly all European architectural styles, including medieval, renaissance and baroque.

Significance

The Wawel Royal Castle and the Wawel Hill constitute the most historically and culturally significant site in Poland. For centuries the residence of the kings of Poland and the symbol of Polish statehood, the Castle is now one of the country’s premier art museums.

See also

• List of castles in Poland
• Culture of Kraków
• History of Poland