Many people imagine Wawel as a place full of medieval and Renaissance relics — and rightly so. Less obvious to visitors, however, are the wartime traces left by World War II: protective actions by castle staff, the temporary use of the residence by the occupying administration, and stories about collections that were hidden or evacuated during the conflict.
On a tour with a licensed guide you can learn which parts of the hill were the focus of protective measures, which rooms mattered to the occupation authorities, and which parts of the castle preserve memories connected to the years 1939–1945. These are not always obvious, visible marks on the walls — often they are stories about people and decisions that saved collections and monuments.
It is worth knowing that some areas of Wawel were used by the German administration and that some equipment and collections were hidden or moved to protect them from plunder and destruction. The guide will show where to look for these traces and provide the historical context that makes these details meaningful.
A professional route around Wawel combines icons of Polish history with places that are also connected to the wartime period. Typical highlights include: Wawel Cathedral with its tombs and the Sigismund Chapel, the private royal apartments, representative chambers, the New Crown Treasury, the arcaded courtyard and — depending on the route — the Armory and the Dragon's Den.
A licensed guide will speak not only about architecture and art but also about how these interiors functioned in 1939–1945: who occupied the castle at that time, what decisions were made to protect tapestries and works of art, and where rooms used by the occupation authorities were located. Touring together helps you understand both the hill's centuries-long role and its dramatic fate in the 20th century.
If you're especially interested in World War II traces, ask the guide to expand the narrative about the occupation period — guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz gladly weaves these threads into the standard route, giving the history a more human face.
A licensed guide has knowledge backed by training and authorization — they can read architecture, dates and events and connect them with the story of World War II in a local context. This makes the visit more comprehensible and moving.
The guide will also help with practical matters: ticket reservations, choosing the best order for visiting (for example chambers first, then the cathedral), avoiding the longest queues and adjusting the pace for the group. This is especially important if you want to focus on less obvious topics like traces of occupation or pre-war protective efforts.
An additional advantage: a licensed guide knows the site and procedures — they will tell you which rooms are sometimes closed, where silence is required (cathedral, crypts) and how to visit with respect and safety.
Buy tickets in advance and confirm with the guide the possibility of entering specific sites — some rooms have a limited number of daily entries.
Check current opening hours and visiting rules; on some days (e.g. Mondays) special access regulations or staffing apply. It's also worth checking in advance whether temporary exhibitions or events are scheduled that could change the route.
Wear comfortable shoes and clothing — parts of the route include stairs, cloisters and uneven surfaces. The cathedral and crypts have a distinct microclimate, so it’s good to have a light sweater.
Respect sacred spaces and memorials: the cathedral contains tombs and places of worship; keep silence and switch your phone to silent. Photography may be restricted in some rooms — ask the guide.
If you want to focus on wartime topics, state this when booking — the guide can prepare extra information and point out sections of the route connected to 1939–1945.
Not booking tickets in advance — in summer and on weekends tickets sell out quickly. Booking a guide in advance solves this problem.
Assuming that all “war traces” are literally visible on the walls — many threads are stories framed in context and revealed through the guide’s narration. Come with curiosity, not just a camera.
Lack of respect for sacred spaces — in the cathedral ask for quiet and avoid loud behavior; it is a place of remembrance for locals and visitors alike.
Assuming the visit will take 20–30 minutes — the complex is large, and a full guided visit with commentary usually takes from 90 minutes to several hours depending on the program. Plan your time.
After touring, head out for a short walk and a meal — nearby restaurants and cafés offer both traditional Polish cuisine and modern menus. Recommended, well-rated places in the area include: Wierzynek (a historic restaurant), Szara (Market Square), Pod Aniołami (regional cuisine), Cafe Camelot (a café with atmosphere) and Massolit Bookstore & Cafe (for book and coffee lovers).
If you prefer something lighter, visit one of the small cafés on the streets leading from the Market Square to Wawel — these are great spots to rest and digest the history you just heard.
For a longer relaxation, take a walk along the Vistula river — the riverside terraces are a pleasant place to rest and talk with your guide about lesser-known details from the tour.
Are there visible battle marks from World War II in the cathedral? - In the cathedral most wartime testimonies are stories and artifacts related to the occupation period, the protection of collections and the people who saved heritage. These are not always visible damages.
Can you see the office of the occupation authorities at Wawel? - Not all rooms are regularly accessible; some are opened only for special exhibitions or events. The guide will explain what is available on a given day and which places were used by the occupying administration.
How long is a typical guided visit? - A standard route usually lasts 1.5–2.5 hours. If you want extended wartime narratives or to visit additional exhibitions, reserve more time.
Will children be interested in wartime history at Wawel? - Yes, if the guide tailors the narrative — stories about people, rescue actions and local legends often engage younger visitors very well.
Castle staff took protective actions even before the war broke out — the most valuable items were transported and hidden, and protective storerooms were prepared. Thanks to such decisions many collections survived.
Some of the spaces used during the occupation are now accessible only occasionally — ask the guide about the stories tied to particular rooms, because it is the narratives that bring out their historical significance.
Beyond Wawel there is a network of nearby places in Kraków — museums, former sites and urban traces — connected to the story of World War II; a good guide will suggest how to extend your visit to neighboring attractions.
If you want your visit to Wawel to be more than a view — to be a full historical experience — choose a tour with a licensed guide. Małgorzata Kasprowicz leads tours in a friendly, accurate and engaging way, combining architectural facts with lesser-known wartime stories.
Share this article with friends or on social media if you think it might help someone — and if you are planning a visit, consider booking a private tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz. The guide will gladly prepare a route matched to your interests.
Thank you for reading, and see you at Wawel!
