The Beautiful 18th Century at Wawel: Inauguration of "Long Live the King!" Exhibition and Special Events This Weekend

This upcoming weekend, September 21 and 22, the Wawel Royal Castle invites you to unique events under the collective title "The Beautiful 18th Century at Wawel." The program includes the finissage of the exhibition "Magnificence of Rococo: Kaendler's Meissen Porcelain Figures" and the opening of the new, highly anticipated exhibition "Long Live the King! Coronations of Saxon Wettins at Wawel."

"Long Live the King! Coronations of Saxon Wettins at Wawel"

Running from September 21, 2024, to February 9, 2025, this exceptional exhibition is prepared in collaboration with the State Art Collections in Dresden and the National Museum in Warsaw. It offers a rare opportunity to see nearly all the surviving artifacts from the coronations of August II the Strong (1697) and August III and his wife Maria Josepha (1734)—the last two coronations that took place at Wawel.

The exhibition transports visitors back to a time of Baroque grandeur, showcasing:

• A life-size figure of August II in coronation attire, usually displayed at the Rüstkammer in Dresden's Residenzschloss.
• Complete coronation regalia—crowns, scepters, and orbs of August III and Maria Josepha—from the collections of the National Museum in Warsaw.
• Masterpieces from August II's silver collection, the pride of Dresden's Green Vault, displayed in Wawel's Senate Hall for the first time in over 300 years.

The exhibition also delves into the Polish coronation ceremony, which took shape in the late Middle Ages. Both Wettin kings sought to honor this ancient ritual while introducing certain deviations to reflect the political context of their times and to emphasize specific propagandistic themes.

Exhibition Accessibility

• Sensory Station: Allows tactile exploration of selected exhibits, including royal insignia like crowns and scepters, and period textiles such as decorative leathers (cordovans). This interactive station is especially beneficial for visitors with visual impairments but is designed to engage all guests.
• Easy-to-Read Texts: Exhibition descriptions are supplemented with easy-to-understand texts, catering to visitors with intellectual disabilities and those who prefer straightforward information.
• Tactile Graphics and Audio Descriptions: The exhibition includes tactile graphics with QR codes linking to audio descriptions, enhancing accessibility for blind and visually impaired visitors.

Program of Events for "The Beautiful 18th Century at Wawel"

September 21 (Saturday)

• 11:00 AM – Commedia dell'arte "The Inn at the Broken Penny"
  • Location: Arcaded Courtyard – Free Admission
  • The KOMEDIANTY troupe presents a vibrant gallery of comedic characters in a standalone inn setting, filled with classic plot twists and humorous misunderstandings.
• 1:00 PM – "Fragile Beauty" – A Performance by Jaga Hupało
  • Location: Arcaded Courtyard – Free Admission
  • Inspired by the porcelain exhibitions, actors and models will bring Johann Joachim Kaendler's figures to life. The performance includes a socially engaged campaign supporting the Rak'n'Roll Foundation's "Give Hair!" program, where participants can donate hair to create wigs for women undergoing chemotherapy.
• 4:00–6:00 PM – Workshops "POINTS OF VIEW"
  • Location: In front of the ticket office building – Free Entry (Registration Required)
  • Led by the group Małe Instrumenty, participants will collaborate to create a unique spatial musical sculpture. The workshop is open to adults and youths aged 16 and over, including both blind and sighted individuals.

September 22 (Sunday)

• 1:00 PM – Repeat Performance of "The Inn at the Broken Penny"
  • Location: Arcaded Courtyard – Free Admission
• 6:00 PM – "Invisible Instruments" – Sound Installation/Concert
  • Location: Envoys' Hall (3rd floor of the Castle) – Free Entry (Registration Required)
  • Attendees will experience a concert featuring instruments conceptualized by blind individuals and brought to life by specialists, culminating in a unique auditory experience.

During these events, there will also be film screenings and photographic displays inspired by the exhibitions. The "Give Hair!" campaign for the Rak'n'Roll Foundation will provide an opportunity for attendees to donate their hair, supporting women undergoing chemotherapy.

For more information and to register for workshops, please visit the Wawel Royal Castle website: www.wawel.krakow.pl.

Don't miss this chance to step back in time, uncover the secrets of royal coronations at Wawel, and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the 18th century in the heart of Krakow!