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Both the Castle and
Cathedral date back to the 11th Century and since
that time have suffered multiple sackings and
invasions from Poland's neighbours. Despite being
buffeted by the winds of war Wawel still stands
proud something which many Poles can identify with.
The Castle now houses
several important museums and exhibitions and to see
everything it's worth setting aside a few hours.
Tickets for guided tours can be purchased at the top
of the cobbled slope with only a set number of
visitors being allowed in each day.
Wawel's reputation as
a spiritual touchstone is further enhanced by the
Hindu faith. Hindu thinkers believe that "chakra" is
part of a powerful, supernatural energy force that
connects all living things together. They claim that
there are seven points on Earth where this force is
most concentrated-Delhi, Delphi, Jerusalem, Mecca,
Rome, Velehrad and..........Krakow.
The seventh chakra is
said to reside in the north west corner of Wawel's
courtyard, centred in the chancel of St Gereon's
Church.
Krakow even has it's
own Dragon. Legend has it that the town derived it's
name from
Prince Krak who saved his people from a dragon
that had been terrifying local virgins and
livestock. The Dragon's Cave (Smocza Jama) is
located at the Western edge of Wawel hill next to
the Thieves Tower. Tickets can be purchased for the
descent into the bowels of Wawel hill. For those who
are brave enough to descend the 135 steps to the
cave you will be rewarded with a sighting of Smok
the
Dragon !
The current building
that is Wawel cathedral is actually the 3rd church
on this site, erected between 1320 and 1364. The
interior is filled with sarcophogi, tombs and
spectacular chapels. Perhaps the most famous of
these chapels is the Sigismund Chapel (Kaplica
Zygmuntowska), said to be the "most beautiful
Renaissance chapel north of the Alps".
Climb the Sigismund
tower (accessed via the sacristy) to view the
Sigismund Bell (otherwise known as Zygmunt). The 500
year old bell measures 2m high and these days it is
very rarely sounded. It was most recently used as a
death knell to announce the death of the late John
Paul II.
In May 1973, future
pope Karol Wojtyła consented to a team of historians
and conservationists to open King Kazimierz's tomb.
Within weeks 16 people who had been present at the
exhumation had dropped dead. A best selling book
titled "Curses, Microbes and Scholars" drew
comparisons to the curse of the pharoahs.
At the back of the
church is the entrance to St Leonard's Crypt which
is the sole surviving remnant of the 12th Century
Romanesque cathedral (the 2nd church erected on this
site). Through here you can access the Royal Crypts
where Polish royalty, military and cultural heroes
are buried. |
