WAWEL HILL VISITOR POLICIES
The Wawel Hill is a national cultural, historic, and religious monument and as such has special preservation status. The Wawel Royal Castle – State Art Collection is a national cultural institution whose mission includes the preservation of the landmark historic site and buildings.
The following Visitor Policies have been issued by the Wawel Royal Castle – State Art Collection in its capacity as the administrator of the Wawel Hill. All persons present on the Hill, regardless of the purpose of their visit, are subject to these rules and regulations.
By entering the premises of Wawel Hill you agree to adhere to the Visitor Policies.
1. The Wawel Hill is open to visitors every day from 6:00 a.m. until dusk.
2. The Arcaded Courtyard of the Castle opens to visitors at 7:00 a.m. and closes one half hour before the closing of the gates.
3. The following are strictly prohibited:
• weapons of any kind, or other items that could pose a danger to life or health;
• animals (seeing-eye dogs excepted);
• luggage exceeding 55x40x23 cm (or 118 cm total width+height+length). Luggage can be deposited in the luggage room located at the Bernardyńska Gate entrance.
• entering grassed in areas that constitute an archeological site; entering flower beds; climbing on walls; or entering any other areas closed to visitor traffic;
• consuming alcoholic beverages outside of restaurant areas;
• disturbing the peace, playing loud music or musical instruments, using roller blades or skates, skate boards, scooters, or other sports equipment;
• feeding the birds
• all activity prohibited by the regulations contained in Kraków City Council Resolution No. XC/2361/17 (and later changes) on the creation of a culture park called Park Kulturowy Stare Miasto [Old Town Culture Park].4. In addition, the following are prohibited in the Arcaded Courtyard:
• food and drink;
• smoking;
• the use of sound amplification equipment.
5. The following require prior written permission from the Castle Administration:
• artistic or sales activity (or soliciting of any kind);
• commercial filming or photography;
• organization of public gatherings, promotional or advertising campaigns, protests; the display of banners, symbols, or other emblems, excluding national or religious symbols and emblems;
• entry with a vehicle or bicycle (wheelchairs and tricycles are exempt);
• drone use.
6. The entire area of Wawel Hill within the walls and approaches to both entrance gates, as well as interior spaces identified with appropriate signage are subject to 24-hour security video monitoring. The purpose of the security system is to enhance the safety and security of visitors, staff, assets, and property. The Castle is the administrator of the collected data.
The Wawel Hill is protected by the Wewnętrzna Służba Ochrony – Straż Zamkowa (Wawel Royal Castle Security) on the basis of the Protection of Persons and Property Act of August 22, 1997 (text identical with the 2014 Journal of Laws, pos. 1099)
Visitors are kindly requested to respect the instructions of the Castle Security staff while on Wawel Hill.
WAWEL ROYAL CASTLE - EXHIBITIONS VISITOR POLICIES and MUSEUM RULES AND REGULATIONS
The following Visitor Policies have been issued by the Wawel Royal Castle – National Art Collection in its capacity as the administrator of the Wawel Hill and as a museum. By purchasing a ticket to the museum or entering an exhibition space the visitor agrees to adhere to the Museum Rules and Regulations.
1. Admittance to the Wawel Royal Castle exhibitions requires a valid ticket for a designated entrance time.
2. Tickets are issued for individual (non-guided) viewing of exhibitions with the exception of the Royal Private Apartments, which can only be viewed with guide service.
3. Ticket and guide reservation services are available to individual visitors.
4. Reservations can be made with the Reservation Office or other office (or establishment) authorized to sell tickets and guide services.
The Reservation Office can only accept reservations up to and including the day prior to the date of the visit, based on availability.
5. The right to lead exhibition and outdoor tours at the Wawel Royal Castle is reserved for tour guides authorized by the Director.
6. Organized groups must reserve tickets during the peak-season (April 1 – October 31).
7. Reservations made but not paid for within the designated time are subject to cancellation, however, the person making the reservation will be liable for the price of the ticket and/or guide service as applicable.
8. Two selected exhibitions are made available to visitors free of charge one day per week. On days when entrance fees are waived, the ticket office will issue free passes for designated entry times in accordance with conservation limits. Reservations are not accepted for free viewing days. Free passes are made available only to individual visitors; no guided tours on free viewing days.
8. For conservation reasons the following restrictions apply:
a) limits on the number of people permitted in one exhibition at a time;
b) limits on the number of tickets available per day
c) size limits for visiting groups:
- State Rooms - up to 30 people
- Royal Private Apartments - up to 10 people
- Crown Treasury and Armoury - up to 30 people
- Oriental Art - up to 20 people
- Lost Wawel - up to 30 people
10. The last visitor entry to any given exhibition takes place one hour before the posted closing time.
11. Exhibition visitors are required to adhere to the regulations contained in the Wawel Hill Visitor Policies. In addition the following rules and regulations apply inside the exhibitions of the Wawel Royal Castle:
a) Photography and filming are not permitted;
b) Sharp objects are not permitted;
c) Cell phone use is not allowed;
d) Do not touch the works of art or other elements of the exhibitions;
e) Do not walk or stand on the carpets or sit on the chairs – they are museum objects;
f) Visitors under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or similar substances will not be permitted in the exhibitions;
g) Smoking is not permitted;
h) Food and drink are not permitted;
i) Sliding on the floors is not allowed;
j) All backpacks, large bags, luggage, baby backpacks, umbrellas, sticks (i.e., Nordic walking sticks, souvenir ciupaga walking sticks), baby strollers and carriages must be checked in the complimentary luggage rooms.
12. Exhibition visitors must pass through a security screening (similar to airport procedures); bags are also subject to screening.
13. Visitors who do not check their belongings will not be permitted to enter the exhibitions.
14. Visitors are asked to follow the prescribed exhibition route. Museum staff regulate the flow of visitor group traffic form room to room. The group exiting a room has priority; two groups cannot pass in the entryways.
15. Only one group of visitors may be in an exhibition room/gallery at one time, with the exception of the Casimir the Great Room (Crown Treasury) and the Deputies’ Hall (State Rooms), where two groups are permitted at a time, and the Senators’ Hall (State Rooms) which can hold three groups at a time.
16. On the basis of the Protection of Persons and Property Act, Wawel Royal Castle Security has the right to intervene and/or remove visitors who refuse to comply with the museum rules and regulations.
