Eastern Europe in 10 Days (Day 6): Wawel Cathedral, Krakow
Wawel Castle is actually made of two major components, the castle itself and Wawel Cathedral. While the former contains most of the exhibitions, the Cathedral is the building which has the mind-boggling and impressive interior. Wawel Cathedral has witnessed a number of crowning ceremony of almost every Polish king and queen throughout the country’s history. The current Wawel Cathedral is actually the third to be built on the site. The first two cathedrals are made of wood and were unfortunately burnt down by fire. There are a total of 18 chapels inside Wawel Cathedral. You may want to show particular interest to the 15th century Chapel of the Holy Cross, found to the right as you enter the cathedral which features some wonderful Russian murals and Veit Stoss’ 1492 marble sarcophagus to Kazimierz IV. You can also see the Royal Crypts, the final resting place of kings and statesmen and the wooden series of staircases leading to the Sigismund Bell, which can be heard 50km away when it’s ringing.
If you want to go inside the Wawel Cathedral, you have to plan your visit carefully because the Cathedral is closed on certain occasions like New Year’s Day (1 Jan), Maudy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday, All Saints’ Day (1 Nov), Christmas Eve (24 Dec) and Christmas Day (25 Dec). In addition, the Cathedral Museum is closed every Sundays and holidays. The entrance tot the Cathedral is so grand with the turquoise big door. You have to wait here for your allocated tour timing. Do note that a visit without a licensed guide for a group consist of more than 10 people is strictly not allowed.
I came out from different door upon finishing the tour inside Wawel Cathedral. The door led me to the Renaissance courtyard of Wawel Castle. I suppose this is where people used to meet and talk about anything under the sun back in those days.
Other than the renaissance architecture, there is something special about this courtyard. At the upper left corner of the courtyard, there is a section of the wall which is famously known as the Wawel Chakra. The section of the wall is basically believed to be one of the world’s main centers of spiritual energy. If you want to be in the “force”, you just need to touch the wall to feel the force. I wonder if this is how George Lucas get inspiration for Jedi in Star Wars movies. Joking aside, a lot of people come here to touch the wall so there may be some truths to this urban legend of the Wawel Chakra.
You can spend time to wander around the Castle and Cathedral complex to check out smaller churches building and also the statue of Karol Wojtyla, who in the year 1978 became Pope John Paul II. He offered his first Mass in the Cathedral in the year 1946. He is such a respected figure in Poland and the tour guide informed me that there are always flowers put by the Polish people in front of his statue everyday.
Wawel Cathedral’s and the Cathedral Museum’s visiting information:
Monday to Saturday (Apr - Oct): 9AM to 5PM
Monday to Saturday (Nov - Mar): 9AM to 4PM
For Cathedral only:
Sunday (Apr - Oct): 12.30PM to 5PM
Sunday (Nov - Mar): 12.30PM to 4PM
Cathedral Museum is closed on Sundays