Wawel is more than a castle and a cathedral — it is a living source of history, art and legends that become easier to understand when experienced in context. Museum lessons led by Castle staff combine a guided visit with didactic activities: stories, tasks, supporting materials and conversations tailored to the class level. This way pupils remember more than on a regular school trip.
Lessons at Wawel cover topics from legends and daily life at the castle, through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, to clothing, court ceremony and mementos connected to Jan III Sobieski. They are prepared for different age groups — from kindergarten children to high-school students.
If you prepare your pupils in advance and use the museum lesson as a complement to the school curriculum, the visit can become one of the most valuable educational experiences of the year.
Museum lessons are intended for schools, residential educational centres, orphanages, foundations and similar institutions. The museum does not accept bookings from travel agencies — reservations should be made directly by educational institutions or teachers.
At Wawel there are three formats of lessons: on-site, outdoor (around the hill) and online. Lessons take place Monday to Friday.
Note that museum lessons are not held in the Wawel Cathedral — the educational programme is delivered in castle rooms, across the hill and online.
The easiest way is to contact the Castle Reservation Office. Reservations are accepted by phone and email; staff ask that requests be made at least a week in advance. Providing full information at first contact speeds up the process.
Basic details to prepare before booking: topic of the lesson (chosen from the museum offer), preferred day and time, school name and address, class, number of participants (pupils + supervisors), name and contact details of the person registering (phone and email).
If you book several lessons, you must fill out a separate form for each. For online bookings the form must be confirmed — the museum informs about confirmation within a few working days.
Important: from form submission to confirmation it may take up to 5 working days, so plan dates in advance.
The Reservation Office is available at specific hours; it’s best to call during the museum’s indicated operating times or send an email with full booking details. Submit reservations at least one week in advance — places are limited and allocated in order of requests.
On the day of the lesson the person in charge should report to the Reservation Office in the Promotion and Information Centre half an hour before the start to collect the assignment and discuss organisational matters.
If you plan an online lesson, schedule a short technical rehearsal beforehand; the teacher usually receives the meeting link about half an hour before the session and should distribute it to pupils.
Participant limits vary by format: on-site lesson — up to 25 people (participants plus supervisors), outdoor lesson — up to 30 people, online lesson — up to 30 people at once.
Wawel applies the rule of one free supervisor per up to 10 participants; supervisors beyond this number are counted among participants and may be subject to a fee. For this reason plan the number of accompanying adults carefully.
As of April 23, 2024 the museum’s lessons organised by the Royal Castle at Wawel have been free — however always confirm the current status when booking, as rules can change depending on museum decisions.
Length depends on the format: on-site lessons usually last 60–90 minutes (about 60 minutes for kindergarten groups), online lessons last about 45 minutes with a possible technical extension of a few minutes.
Lesson topics are age-appropriate and cover a wide range — from Wawel legends through architecture and art to elements of court life. When booking, choose a topic from the museum’s prepared offer.
Outdoor lessons around the Wawel Hill are ideal in good weather and allow pupils to discover the castle’s spaces and architectural elements not always accessible during regular exhibitions.
Half an hour before the lesson the group leader should report to the Reservation Office in the Promotion and Information Centre to collect the assignment and any instructions from the educator.
For all exhibitions you must leave backpacks, large bags and umbrellas in the free cloakroom on the arcaded courtyard — outerwear stays with participants. This is mandatory, so inform pupils and parents to bring light items and mark garments.
Public toilets for visitors are available at designated points on Wawel Hill, while there is usually no access to toilets inside the exhibition halls. It’s a good idea to plan a short break before entering.
The museum does not accept bookings from travel agencies — reservations must be submitted by educational institutions or persons authorised by the school.
Lessons are not conducted in the cathedral — the educational programme takes place in other parts of Wawel Hill and online.
For safety and visitor comfort there are limits on group size and rules about clothing and baggage; failure to follow them can make it difficult or impossible to run the lesson.
Booking at the last minute — the number of lessons is limited and reservations are handled in order, so plan at least a week in advance.
Incomplete data when booking — prepare the lesson topic, full school details, class, number of participants and contact details of the booking person in advance to speed up confirmation.
Too many supervisors or underestimating participant numbers — remember the one-supervisor-per-10-pupils rule for free entry; extra people may require additional payment.
Forgetting about the cloakroom — remind pupils that backpacks and large bags must be left behind, otherwise they will not be allowed into the exhibitions.
Prepare a short introduction for pupils at school — a few curiosities about Wawel, a reminder of museum behaviour rules and information about the cloakroom.
Check the route and meeting point in advance — the Wawel entrance and meeting points (Promotion and Information Centre) can be busy, so arrive with time to spare.
For online sessions organise a short test meeting with pupils to check the platform and divide roles (who moderates the chat, who shares the link, etc.).
Bring a roll-call list, emergency contact numbers and the booking confirmation (printout or email) to quickly clear up any issues on the day.
After the lesson it’s nice to plan a simple snack or tea break around the Market Square and Wawel. Recommended spots include Wierzynek for traditional cuisine and history as well as well-reviewed cafés in Kazimierz and around the Market where you can eat quickly and well.
If the weather is good, a walk toward the Vistula Boulevards is a pleasant way to end the visit — children can stretch their legs while the group remains close to Wawel.
For school groups choose places with child-friendly menus and quick service — it’s worth booking in advance for larger groups.
Confirm the reservation in writing or by email and have the confirmation with you on the day.
Make sure you have: lesson topic, exact number of pupils and supervisors, school details, contact phone number and email of the booking person.
Remind pupils about the obligation to leave backpacks and large bags in the cloakroom and mark outerwear.
Report to the Reservation Office half an hour before the lesson, have the attendance list and contact phone numbers.
Are lessons paid? At present museum lessons organised by the Royal Castle at Wawel are free, but financing rules may change — always confirm when booking.
Can we come without a reservation? Educational lessons and visits by organised groups require prior reservation — the museum accepts bookings in advance and cannot guarantee a place for unregistered groups.
Can the lesson be tailored to the curriculum? Lesson programmes are prepared with specific age groups in mind and often cover elements of the curriculum; for larger educational needs contact the education department to discuss details.
Wawel is a multilayered place — beneath the castle walls lie remains of earlier settlements and buildings; archaeological discoveries still manage to surprise.
Many objects in the castle have surprising stories — from tapestries with tiny animals to mementos connected to Jan III Sobieski. Such stories bring lessons to life and help fix knowledge.
A practical note: the museum does not run lessons in the cathedral — although the cathedral is the central point of Wawel, educational activities take place in other parts of the residence.
If you want your class visit to Wawel to be well organised and as valuable as possible, book in advance, use preparatory materials and remember the practical rules described above.
Share this article with teachers at your school or send it to parents — the better prepared everyone is, the more successful the lesson will be.
If you would like additional guiding support or a personalised programme for your trip, consider working with private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Contact details are available on the ZwiedzanieKrakowa website — this can be a convenient option when you want an extra educator or a programme tailored to your curriculum.
