Unveiling the Secrets of Wawel's Undergrounds with a New Tourist Route This Year

In 2023, visitors to Wawel Royal Castle will have the opportunity to explore previously unseen areas of the underground, full of historical and architectural treasures, thanks to a new tour route. This innovative project has the potential to become one of the key cultural events of the year.

Secrets of Wawel's Renaissance Cellars

The undergrounds of Wawel, which have so far mainly served as a warehouse, harbor many secrets. Built in the first half of the 16th century, these Renaissance cellars are a real treasure trove for history and architecture enthusiasts. With the new route, guests will be able to touch these details and experience the closeness of history.

Ongoing work on the project is already in the final stages, as reported by Grzegorz Galiniak, the contract engineer. Most internal installations are already finished, and the final equipment is currently being installed.

From the Courtyard to the Royal Gardens

The tour starts in the area of the arcaded courtyard, where visitors will be introduced to an exhibition dedicated to the water at Wawel. The further route leads through the Renaissance cellars, full of historical details, all the way to the Royal Gardens. Everything is accessible for people with limited mobility.

As part of the project, a medieval well has also been brought back into use, which, as Martyna Bulińska, the conservator of architecture at Wawel Royal Castle, says, likely functioned already in the Middle Ages.

Project Cost

The project of conserving and adapting the historical cellars for the new tour route costs over PLN 12 million, of which over PLN 4 million will be covered by the Association of Monument Conservators. The remaining funds come from grants from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.