The Royal Castle

The Wawel Castle served as a royal residence and the site where the country's rulers governed Poland
for five centuries from 1038 until 1609. During the early 16th century King Sigismund I and his Italian
wife, brought in the best native and foreign artists including Italian architects, sculptors, and German
decorators, to renovate the castle into impressive unique palace. It soon became a model of imperial
residence in Central and Eastern Europe and served widely as a model throughout the region. In 1609
King Sigismund moved the capital to Warsaw, and tough times for Wawel began.

‘’As it is known to everyone that to build may have to be the slow and laborious task of years, To destroy
can be the thoughtless act of a single day.” During The Swedish invasions of 1655 – 1657 the castle was
partially destructed. The Hill was occupied by the Russian Army in 1794 and the Royal Crown was stolen.

In 1795 the Castle, as an important defensive point, was restructured by Austrians army with some
internal modification of the layout. In the second part of the 19th century the Austrians redesigned the
protective wall.

After World War I, the government of Polish Republic decided that Wawel Castle was to become a
representative building of the Polish state and would be used by the Governor and later by the President
himself. Subsequent to World War II, by the decree of the State National Council, Royal Castle became a
national museum.

The Royal Castle contains various historical interconnected building with a central courtyard including
Presidential palace, lost wawel, treasury and armory.

The presidential palace comprised of three stories along numerable chambers. The ground floor was
allocated as supervisor office and accommodation; he was in charge of arranging and looking after the
life support facilities of the royal family.

The 1st floor was assigned as Royal Private Apartments. Where king bedroom was located. historical
interiors, tapestry collection of Sigismund II Augustus, royal portraits, Italian Renaissance furniture and
painting of the 14th to 17th century.

The 2nd floor was called as State rooms consisting room of parliament which represents strong
parliamentary system for channeling the government system and Royal Audience hall where King met
with people of all walks of life, from the commonalty to royalty. He was receiving envoys or holding
debates of state or conducting prosecutions in the Throne Room of the Wawel Royal Castle. Its imperial
halls and attractive chambers are filled with priceless art, best period furniture and rare ancient objects.
The collection of the 16th-century monumental tapestries is matchless including great bible flooding
tapestries.

Next to presidential palace The Crown Treasury and armory section is of significant importance and
worthwhile seeing, which shows Polish royal possessions, jewelries and other valuable ornamental

Written by: Sayed Wafiullah Page 1

 The Royal Castle
items. The Crown Treasury situated in the historic Gothic rooms which were used in 15th century for
storing the Polish insignia and Crown Rings

The valuable jewelry is placed in chronological order including, golden cup and earthen ware of 16
century , coronation sword used by king which represent the power of royal family, gift from the king of
France and 18 century polish flag oriented in portrait framework. The adjacent Armory displays 15th to
18th-century arms including swords ,hunting tools, helmet and breast plates ,hunting sword with pistols,
Gun and muskets of 16-18century,light artillery and heavy artillery consisting cannon barrels and balls.

The Lost Wawel that includes historical and archaeological monument of the early 11th-century is of
great scenery. That includes church of St.michael, objects excavated by archeologists on the Wawel
Hill, decorative stove tiles of the 16th and 17th century as well as early medieval metal object including
battle axe, arrow heads, knife blades and some pieces of jewelry of 13th century which represent the
Wawel Hill's history.

Finally, Archaeological remains are irreplaceable. They are evidence - for prehistoric periods, the only
evidence - of the past development of our civilization. No one has the right to destruct these
monuments even in the time of war as it happened to royal castle; hence appropriate management is
therefore essential to ensure that they survive in good condition and to guarantee safety of our tradition
and heritage.

Written by: Sayed Wafiullah Page 2