Wawel Hill Royal Castle in Cracow, Poland

Reconstruction through ages

Wawel is a fortified architectural complex erected over many centuries on the left bank of the Vistula river in Kraków, Poland.

The complex consists of many buildings and fortifications; the largest and best known of these are the Royal Castle and the Wawel Cathedral (which is the Basilica of St Stanisław and St Wacław). Some of Wawel's oldest stone buildings, such as the Rotunda of the Virgin Mary can be dated to 970AD. There are also wooden parts of the complex which date to about the 9th century. The castle itself has been described as "one of the most fascinating of all European castles."

Church "B"

Church near Wladyslaw IV fort

Early Romanesque cathedral

Square building, probably a storage.

Rotunda of Saint Mary

Rotunda near Sandomierska Tower

Saint Michael Church

Saint George Church

Round defensive tower

Romanesque Cathedral of King Herman

Saint Geron Church

Early Royal Palace

Defensive Tower (Stolp)

Wall dividing the hill into royal and civil uses.

Early Gothic Cathedral

Gothic Royal Castle

Thiefs' Tower

Sandomierska Tower

Women's, Noble and Teczynska Towers (in order from left)

Gothic St. George Church

Gothic St. Michael Church

Bishop's Vaults

Gatehouse

Extended walls

Finished cathedral with Zygmunt's Chapel (Golden Dome)

New Renaissance Royal Palace