The Wawel Hill
I have finally decided to make this page, maybe not enough detailed.
Anyway, here are few elements concerning this good location in Cracow.
First of all, Wawel is the name given to the hill, and not only the castle. Fortified place, it was the seat of the Royal Castle since 1038, and its cathedral, where can be found the graves of all the Queens and Kings of Poland.
Down to the hill goes the Vistula (Wisła). Nearby is also the cave of the dragon which became emblem of the city. But I will tell you the legend later...
Since the beginning of history of Poland, Wawel Hill was the center of secular and ecclesiastical power. In the year 1000 the diocese was established in Cracow, and shortly after the first cathedral was elevated on Wawel Hill. The castle was the residence of the sovereign of Poland from the mid-16th century until the early 17th century.
The present building includes fragments of roman style and large Gothic parts, which are visible when you come to the castle from the Royal Route (down from the Rynek). But its current appearance dates mainly from the period of the reign of Alexander Jagiellonian (1501-1506) and Sigismund, the Old (1506-1548).
Following an intense fire, the reconstruction in the Renaissance style was begun by Eberhard Rosemberger, master in masonry and Francesco of Florence, architect of galleries and decorative stones.
Their work went further with the master Benedykt and Bartolomeo Berrecci of Florence.
It is an unfortunate event - fire at the castle - which will make from Cracow one of the European cities which has the fastest change from Gothic to Renaissance style. Indeed, in less than 30 years, not only the castle (1504 - 1535), but also many religious buildings and private residences will undergo a truly revolution of architecture.
The best example is the inner courtyard with its three levels of arcades.
Internally the decoration was highly symbolic. It reflected glory and virtue of the master of Wawel and Poland, dangerous for the enemies, indulgent to his subjects, wise and pious. Some elements remain, as paintings, wooden ceilings, carved door. The decoration of the ceiling in the Chamber of Deputies, with carved and painted human heads, represents the most original fragment.
The collection of Flemish tapestries is one of the treasures of the castle. Initiated by King Sigismund-Auguste (1548-1572), this collection has its destiny directly linked to the history of Poland. After the third partition of Poland in 1795, they were transferred to Russia before returning to the Wawel in the 20's. At the beginning of the Second World War, they were sent to Romania and then via France and England, to Canada, from where they returned in 1961 to be re-hung in the halls of the castle. But only 142 of the 360 original tapestries have been saved.
After the departure of Sigismund III from Cracow, the Wawel has lost its function as a royal residence.
After the third partition of Poland in 1795, the Royal castle became the shelter of Austrian soldiers and for many years on the 19th century. The army left the place in 1905, time when the rehabilitation works begun. It was by convincing the Austrians to make from the castle the residence of Emperor Franz Joseph in Krakow that local authorities obtained the departure of the military forces, but also funds for the renovation... Very clever, especially as Franz Joseph would finally never stay there...
Dark moment of its history, during the Second World War, the Wawel became the headquarters of the German authorities and the residence of General-Governor Hans Frank. As for the general governor of Paris, he had been ordered to destroy everything in case of defeat. Fortunately, the General Governor did not follow the orders...
On the Hill can be also visited the Wawel Cathedral. It is the principal church of the Archdiocese of Cracow and a national shrine, where kings, poets and national heroes of Poland are buried. It is very common for Polish students to visit this place during their schooling.
The first cathedral, whose remaining parts are relatively small, was built after the imposition of the bishop in Krakow on the 1000 year. Destroyed about 150 years later, it was rebuilt in the first half of the 17th century. Following an initial fire in 1305, King Ladislas the First of Poland decided to rebuild it in the Gothic style. He was also the first monarch crowned and buried in the cathedral.
Under the reign of Sigismund the Old, Bartolomeo Berrecci of Florence built the chapel of Sigismund, other typical example of the Renaissance metamorphosis of Cracow.
The kings of Poland and the bishops, throughout history, changed the cathedral, its chapels and its decoration, in accordance with the styles and tastes of the time.
Today, the cathedral is a greatest place of Polish History. It is registered (with all the historic centre of Krakow) on the World Heritage List of UNESCO.
Interesting and beautiful is the view over the city from its main tower. To get there and to have a chance to touch the Dzwon Zygmunta, Sigismund bell from 1520 and weighing not less than 8 tons, you have to follow a maze of wooden stairs, steep and narrow in the mid-frames of the building. Touch the bell brings chance and fortune...
Another short story about the Cathedral: at the main entrance, you can see mammoth bones. According to the Legend, if they fall down, Cracow will be destroyed...
Religious and national symbol, place of numerous legends, we also attribute to the Wawel Hill one of the chakra of the Earth, one of the seven points of positive energy of our planet... Some people say also that one of the walls of the castle has healing powers... Mes My research of this place remains for the moment without success... The castle Management does not want to hear anything about this story. It can explain that no plate can be found on the hill saying "The chakra is here! »...
Finally, back to Stanislas Wyspianski who had great idea of destiny for the Wawel Hill (for more info, click here):
"Here, everything is Polish, every stone and every fragment,
and the visitor who enters is an integral part of Poland ... "
Good summary of the Wawel importance in the Polish heritage, isn't it?