Accessibility

Accessibility: Wawel Hill, individual buildings and exhibitions

Wawel Royal Castle is located in the center of Cracow, on Wawel Hill (228 meters above sea level), in the Old Town district [about a 10-minute walk away from the Main Market Square and a 20-minute walk from the central Train Station].

There are two approaches to the Castle’s entrance gates:
  • from ul. Kanonicza – pedestrian traffic only; low steps in the Vasa Gate passage
  • from the intersection of Bernardyńska, Stradom, and Grodzka streets: approach for both pedestrian and vehicle (by permission) traffic; cobbled roadway, sidewalks on either side of the road
Both approaches are steep, wheelchair users will probably require assistance

On Wawel Hill – roadways and paths – no architectural barriers

Wawel Hill is equipped with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). In case of emergency, please alert a member of the Wawel Security staff (guards).

Approach from ul. Bernardyńska

Approach from ul. Kanonicza

Discounts for visitors with disabilities

Visitors with disabilities and their caregivers are eligible for discounted tickets (with proper documents). Citizens of the European Union, the Swiss Confederation, and EFTA member countries are eligible.

Ticket windows

  • the main ticket window is located in the Visitors Center
    the building is equipped with a wheelchair ramp (on the exterior courtyard side); no mobility barriers inside
  • the seasonal ticket window (open April–October), located at the Herbowa Gate (ul. Kanonicza approach) – please note that there are several low steps to climb in the Vasa Gate

Visitor Services

The Visitors’ Center houses visitors’ services such as the Information Desk, Ticket Windows, Reservation and Guide Service Office, [Audio Guide rental], as well as toilet facilities, dining, and shopping. The Visitors’ Center also offers free Wi-Fi.
There is a Post Office located in the Thieves’ Tower, but accessibility is limited due to steps before the entrance.

Baggage Checkrooms

Arcaded Courtyard checkroom (for visitors with valid tickets to the exhibitions) – enter through the Berrecci Gate; fully accessible

Toilet Facilities

  • Visitors’ Center – fully accessible, wheelchair ramp to building
  • Exterior Courtyard (next to the Lost Wawel exhibition entrance) – wheelchair ramp
  • Arcaded Courtyard (enter through passageway in south wing) – wheelchair ramp; please note: approach is steep, cobblestones, can be slippery

Exhibitions in the Castle

The Castle is equipped with an elevator, however there are stairs [at either entrance] that need to be climbed in order to reach it.
  • We regret that the exhibitions on the first and second floors of the castle proper (State Rooms, Royal Private Apartments, Oriental Art, and temporary exhibitions held on the second floor) are currently not wheelchair accessible. We are in the process of installing a wheelchair lift, which will enable us to expand the range of accessible exhibitions.
  • The Crown Treasury and Armoury exhibition is partially accessible (only the ground floor portion of the Armoury is accessible).
  • The Lost Wawel exhibition is partially wheelchair accessible (Lapidarium and Tile Room).
  • The Wawel Recovered not accessible to visitors in wheelchairs or with mobility impairments.
  • The Dragon’s Den is not accessible to visitors in wheelchairs or with mobility impairments. The cave is reached by descending a narrow spiral staircase (135 steep steps descending 70 feet); as the cave is a natural geological formation, the floor is uneven and can be slippery.
  • The Sandomierska Tower not accessible to visitors in wheelchairs or with mobility impairments. Visiting the tower requires climbing 137 steps.
  • The Wawel Architecture and Gardens tour not accessible to visitors in wheelchairs or with mobility impairments. There are steep staircases to climb leading to the Upper Terrace, alongside the Hen’s Foot Tower, and in the Sandomierska Tower (see above).