ART IS HEALTH. WAWEL AND TAURON ESTABLISH PARTNERSHIP FOR ACCESSIBILITY.
In partnership with TAURON, the Wawel Castle is once again running a project featuring a series of events taking place until November, opening up the Royal Hill to a variety of audiences. The agenda features workshops, meetings and educational activities aimed at children and young people, the elderly, neurodivergent visitors and people with disabilities. The project combines education, inclusion and community engagement, demonstrating that culture can be a space that is open, accessible and supportive for everyone.
The project will feature educational and historical activities, including the Knights’ School along with workshops designed to introduce participants to the heritage of the Wawel Castle in an engaging manner. They will be complemented with art therapy sessions and initiatives organised in collaboration with the Special Educational Centre and the University Hospital in Kraków.
We will also continue our efforts to improve the accessibility of our exhibitions with special educational and sensory materials, including tactile graphics, tactile paths and guides written in plain language.
Another highlight of this year’s programme is the voluntary blood donation campaign, organised in partnership with the Regional Blood Donation and Transfusion Centre. On 12 November 2026, a mobile blood collection unit will be parked at the Wawel Castle to promote the idea of community involvement and helping others.
Please Note: All accompanying events are conducted in Polish
The project will feature educational and historical activities, including the Knights’ School along with workshops designed to introduce participants to the heritage of the Wawel Castle in an engaging manner. They will be complemented with art therapy sessions and initiatives organised in collaboration with the Special Educational Centre and the University Hospital in Kraków.
We will also continue our efforts to improve the accessibility of our exhibitions with special educational and sensory materials, including tactile graphics, tactile paths and guides written in plain language.
Another highlight of this year’s programme is the voluntary blood donation campaign, organised in partnership with the Regional Blood Donation and Transfusion Centre. On 12 November 2026, a mobile blood collection unit will be parked at the Wawel Castle to promote the idea of community involvement and helping others.
Please Note: All accompanying events are conducted in Polish
ACCESSIBILITY EVENTS
The project features a variety of events, tailored to the needs of participants with different life experiences and cognitive abilities. The programme includes activities aimed at children and youth attending the Special Educational Centre, people with intellectual disabilities, blind and partially sighted people, individuals on the autism spectrum, people at risk of social exclusion, as well as adults with dementia and the elderly. The initiatives combine elements of occupational therapy, art therapy and museum therapy, which are based on the potential of Wawel’s cultural and natural heritage. These meetings provide a space for creative development, shared artistic experiences and relationship-building through engagement with culture, history and the arts.
ALL THE SENSES - WAWEL IDEAS
A series of sensory workshops designed to meet the needs of children with intellectual disabilities.
The project combines history, art and the realm of legends with work on emotions and sensory development. Its main aim is to create a safe and inspiring space where children can develop through engagement with the arts.
The programme is aimed at pre-school and early-school-age children and their guardians. Its format encourages both individual discovery, relationship building and sharing experiences. The project addresses the need to support children’s emotional development by teaching them to recognise, name and express their feelings in a natural way.
The classes are based on sensory education methods, learning by experience and elements of art therapy. They feature a variety of activities - arts and crafts, movement, and sound-based games (the participants of the project recorded a song.
Engaging all the senses plays a vital role in the process, allowing children to experience the content more deeply and understand it better. The workshops are interactive, putting strong emphasis on free expression, creativity and responding to the participants’ needs.
Participation in the project not only broadens participants’ knowledge of cultural and historical heritage, but above all helps to develop their emotional and social skills. Children learn to be mindful of themselves and others, build their self-esteem, all while developing their imagination and creative thinking skills.
Coordinator: Zofia Gaweł
ART THERAPY SESSIONS FOR ADULTS
The project builds on the concept of the ‘All Senses’ series, focusing on the needs of parents and guardians of people with disabilities, who face significant emotional strain on a daily basis. Its aim is to provide a space for respite and to promote well-being through activities based on creative expression.
The sessions take place within the broader context of the Wawel Royal Castle, where engagement with art and cultural heritage serves as a means of finding peace and reflecting. The programme incorporates elements of art therapy, working with one’s body and mindfulness, creating a safe environment that fosters regeneration and a focus on one’s own needs.
Taking part in the project alleviates stress, builds mental resilience and facilitates the sharing of experiences, addressing the real needs of this group and supporting their day-to-day lives.
Coordinator: Zofia Gaweł
Knights’ School
A series of meetings for children from the Special School and Educational Centre organised in cooperation with the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry of the University Hospital in Krakow. The workshops constitute part of community-based treatment, supporting the emotional, social and cultural development of children and youth with mental disorders and behavioural difficulties.
It takes the form of a series of sessions inspired by the history of the Wawel Castle and chivalry, during which children work together to define and then develop ‘powers’ – including responsibility, perseverance, the ability to work together, emotional control, and coping with failure and fear. Each session includes psycho-educational and historical elements, complemented by artistic activities.
Another key element of the programme concerns building relationships and boosting the participants’ self-esteem. The series of meetings concludes with a symbolic knighting ceremony, highlighting the development of the skills and experience gained.
Coordinator: Jagoda Jóźwiak
SIGN – MUSEUM/2.0
The project is designed for children and youth who require special support, including students of special schools. The goal is to create an accessible and welcoming space for engaging with history, art and cultural heritage through carefully designed educational activities held at the Wawel Royal Castle.
The project features a session titled ‘Wawel at Your Fingertips’ in the form of an interactive tour tailored to the participants’ abilities and needs. The organisers use storytelling, replicas, tactile elements and sensory props, enabling participants to experience history and art through multiple senses and to take an active part in the activities.
The aim of the project is to introduce students to the history and artistic heritage of the Wawel Royal Castle and its significance in the history of Poland and Europe, as well as to develop the participants’ aesthetic sensitivity, imagination and creativity in a way that is tailored to their abilities. The activities foster a sense of cultural identity, encourage curiosity, and support the ability to work together and collaborate as a group.
The project is being carried out in collaboration with the Special Educational Centre at Lubomirskiego 21 in Kraków and other schools in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship.
Coordinator: Robert Adamczak
CULTURE WITHOUT BARRIERS FESTIVAL
The event is organised as part of the Culture Without Barriers Festival – a nationwide initiative aimed at making cultural institutions accessible to everyone, regardless of their needs and abilities. The festival promotes equal access to the arts and actively combats exclusion by creating spaces for experiencing culture together in an inclusive manner.
The event offers a unique and experimental way of engaging with the art on display at the Wawel Royal Castle. It redefines conventional tours by moving away from the need to move around and rely on visual perception in favour of an experience based on words and sound. Visitors explore the space and selected works through a live, multi-voiced narrative which – like a literary map – guides them through the exhibition, sparking the imagination and evoking personal mental images.
Coordinator: Maria Prawelska
MEETINGS FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA
A therapeutic and educational programme taking place in the Wawel Royal Castle, designed with people of all ages living with dementia in mind with the aim of supporting participants through engagement with the arts in a safe, welcoming environment.
The sessions are based on selected works of art and areas of the castle, drawing on the participants’ memories and experiences. The meetings are conducted at a relaxed pace, in small groups, using various stimuli (sounds, tactile materials) that help the participants to calm down and become more engaged. The programme also supports the participants’ loved ones and combats isolation by presenting the museum as an open and supportive place.
Coordinator: Alicja Kropidłowska
MEETINGS FOR SENIORS
A series of educational and inclusive activities aimed at older people, which combine cultural heritage with active participation in cultural life. The aim is to promote social engagement and the well-being of participants through direct contact with art and history.
The meetings take place among the permanent and temporary exhibitions of the Wawel Royal Castle, where the participants have the opportunity to take a closer look at the exhibits and learn about the inner workings of one of Europe’s most important museums. The programme is based on accessible storytelling, tailored to the group’s needs, which encourages reflection and the sharing experiences. The sessions are complemented with creative workshops inspired by the exhibits on display.
Coordinator: Zofia Gaweł
ALL THE SENSES - WAWEL IDEAS
A series of sensory workshops designed to meet the needs of children with intellectual disabilities.
The project combines history, art and the realm of legends with work on emotions and sensory development. Its main aim is to create a safe and inspiring space where children can develop through engagement with the arts.
The programme is aimed at pre-school and early-school-age children and their guardians. Its format encourages both individual discovery, relationship building and sharing experiences. The project addresses the need to support children’s emotional development by teaching them to recognise, name and express their feelings in a natural way.
The classes are based on sensory education methods, learning by experience and elements of art therapy. They feature a variety of activities - arts and crafts, movement, and sound-based games (the participants of the project recorded a song.
Engaging all the senses plays a vital role in the process, allowing children to experience the content more deeply and understand it better. The workshops are interactive, putting strong emphasis on free expression, creativity and responding to the participants’ needs.
Participation in the project not only broadens participants’ knowledge of cultural and historical heritage, but above all helps to develop their emotional and social skills. Children learn to be mindful of themselves and others, build their self-esteem, all while developing their imagination and creative thinking skills.
Coordinator: Zofia Gaweł
ART THERAPY SESSIONS FOR ADULTS
The project builds on the concept of the ‘All Senses’ series, focusing on the needs of parents and guardians of people with disabilities, who face significant emotional strain on a daily basis. Its aim is to provide a space for respite and to promote well-being through activities based on creative expression.
The sessions take place within the broader context of the Wawel Royal Castle, where engagement with art and cultural heritage serves as a means of finding peace and reflecting. The programme incorporates elements of art therapy, working with one’s body and mindfulness, creating a safe environment that fosters regeneration and a focus on one’s own needs.
Taking part in the project alleviates stress, builds mental resilience and facilitates the sharing of experiences, addressing the real needs of this group and supporting their day-to-day lives.
Coordinator: Zofia Gaweł
Knights’ School
A series of meetings for children from the Special School and Educational Centre organised in cooperation with the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry of the University Hospital in Krakow. The workshops constitute part of community-based treatment, supporting the emotional, social and cultural development of children and youth with mental disorders and behavioural difficulties.
It takes the form of a series of sessions inspired by the history of the Wawel Castle and chivalry, during which children work together to define and then develop ‘powers’ – including responsibility, perseverance, the ability to work together, emotional control, and coping with failure and fear. Each session includes psycho-educational and historical elements, complemented by artistic activities.
Another key element of the programme concerns building relationships and boosting the participants’ self-esteem. The series of meetings concludes with a symbolic knighting ceremony, highlighting the development of the skills and experience gained.
Coordinator: Jagoda Jóźwiak
SIGN – MUSEUM/2.0
The project is designed for children and youth who require special support, including students of special schools. The goal is to create an accessible and welcoming space for engaging with history, art and cultural heritage through carefully designed educational activities held at the Wawel Royal Castle.
The project features a session titled ‘Wawel at Your Fingertips’ in the form of an interactive tour tailored to the participants’ abilities and needs. The organisers use storytelling, replicas, tactile elements and sensory props, enabling participants to experience history and art through multiple senses and to take an active part in the activities.
The aim of the project is to introduce students to the history and artistic heritage of the Wawel Royal Castle and its significance in the history of Poland and Europe, as well as to develop the participants’ aesthetic sensitivity, imagination and creativity in a way that is tailored to their abilities. The activities foster a sense of cultural identity, encourage curiosity, and support the ability to work together and collaborate as a group.
The project is being carried out in collaboration with the Special Educational Centre at Lubomirskiego 21 in Kraków and other schools in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship.
Coordinator: Robert Adamczak
CULTURE WITHOUT BARRIERS FESTIVAL
The event is organised as part of the Culture Without Barriers Festival – a nationwide initiative aimed at making cultural institutions accessible to everyone, regardless of their needs and abilities. The festival promotes equal access to the arts and actively combats exclusion by creating spaces for experiencing culture together in an inclusive manner.
The event offers a unique and experimental way of engaging with the art on display at the Wawel Royal Castle. It redefines conventional tours by moving away from the need to move around and rely on visual perception in favour of an experience based on words and sound. Visitors explore the space and selected works through a live, multi-voiced narrative which – like a literary map – guides them through the exhibition, sparking the imagination and evoking personal mental images.
Coordinator: Maria Prawelska
MEETINGS FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA
A therapeutic and educational programme taking place in the Wawel Royal Castle, designed with people of all ages living with dementia in mind with the aim of supporting participants through engagement with the arts in a safe, welcoming environment.
The sessions are based on selected works of art and areas of the castle, drawing on the participants’ memories and experiences. The meetings are conducted at a relaxed pace, in small groups, using various stimuli (sounds, tactile materials) that help the participants to calm down and become more engaged. The programme also supports the participants’ loved ones and combats isolation by presenting the museum as an open and supportive place.
Coordinator: Alicja Kropidłowska
MEETINGS FOR SENIORS
A series of educational and inclusive activities aimed at older people, which combine cultural heritage with active participation in cultural life. The aim is to promote social engagement and the well-being of participants through direct contact with art and history.
The meetings take place among the permanent and temporary exhibitions of the Wawel Royal Castle, where the participants have the opportunity to take a closer look at the exhibits and learn about the inner workings of one of Europe’s most important museums. The programme is based on accessible storytelling, tailored to the group’s needs, which encourages reflection and the sharing experiences. The sessions are complemented with creative workshops inspired by the exhibits on display.
Coordinator: Zofia Gaweł
ACCESSIBILITY MATERIALS
The project will include the development of materials and tools improving accessibility of the Wawel Royal Castle exhibitions, designed in line with the principles of universal design, meaning that they will be accessible and useful to all visitors by supporting a variety of ways of experiencing art and exploring the museum space. These materials will be developed in accordance with current accessibility standards and will be reviewed by experts and users, thereby ensuring their high quality in terms of both content and functionality.
TACTILE GRAPHICS FOR THE MAIN EXHIBITION
Specialised tactile materials designed for people with visual impairments, enabling them to explore selected works—such as paintings, textiles and objects in display cases—through touch.
TATCILE INTERPRETATIONS OF ARTEFACTS
As part of the project, sensory stations will be built, featuring replicas of selected artefacts on display designed to be explored through touch. These replicas will be made of materials that are identical or similar to those used in the original pieces.
These items will be displayed in the exhibition space in a way that ensures easy access for people with various needs, including wheelchair users.
BOOKS WITH PICTOGRAMS – AN ALTERNATIVE FORM OF COMMUNICATION
A picture book containing a wide selection of themed illustrations across various categories. Each pictogram will be illustrated and accompanied by a word in order to foster understanding and improve communication skills. The tool will be used during museum classes for attendees with communication difficulties, including individuals on the autism spectrum and with intellectual disabilities, enabling them to actively participate and interact with the exhibitions.
GUIDE IN AN EASY-TO-READ LANGUAGE
The ETR guide to the exhibitions, written in easy-to-read and easy-to-understand language, will be designed and reviewed to ensure that it is both clear and appealing to the audience. The guide’s content will be prepared in accordance with ETR (Easy to Read) principles - simple sentences, clear wording and logical structure, as well as supporting illustrations. The document will undergo a testing process with representatives of the target groups in order to enable its optimisation to meet users’ actual needs. The guide will make it easier for some visitors to understand information about the works on display and will help people with reading difficulties and intellectual disabilities to find their way around Wawel Hill on their own. As a result, it will make the museum more accessible to all visitors.
TACTILE GRAPHICS FOR THE MAIN EXHIBITION
Specialised tactile materials designed for people with visual impairments, enabling them to explore selected works—such as paintings, textiles and objects in display cases—through touch.
TATCILE INTERPRETATIONS OF ARTEFACTS
As part of the project, sensory stations will be built, featuring replicas of selected artefacts on display designed to be explored through touch. These replicas will be made of materials that are identical or similar to those used in the original pieces.
These items will be displayed in the exhibition space in a way that ensures easy access for people with various needs, including wheelchair users.
BOOKS WITH PICTOGRAMS – AN ALTERNATIVE FORM OF COMMUNICATION
A picture book containing a wide selection of themed illustrations across various categories. Each pictogram will be illustrated and accompanied by a word in order to foster understanding and improve communication skills. The tool will be used during museum classes for attendees with communication difficulties, including individuals on the autism spectrum and with intellectual disabilities, enabling them to actively participate and interact with the exhibitions.
GUIDE IN AN EASY-TO-READ LANGUAGE
The ETR guide to the exhibitions, written in easy-to-read and easy-to-understand language, will be designed and reviewed to ensure that it is both clear and appealing to the audience. The guide’s content will be prepared in accordance with ETR (Easy to Read) principles - simple sentences, clear wording and logical structure, as well as supporting illustrations. The document will undergo a testing process with representatives of the target groups in order to enable its optimisation to meet users’ actual needs. The guide will make it easier for some visitors to understand information about the works on display and will help people with reading difficulties and intellectual disabilities to find their way around Wawel Hill on their own. As a result, it will make the museum more accessible to all visitors.
Organizers
Patronage
Lead Partner of the Programme
Honorary Patronage of the Blood Donation Campaign organised by the Regional Blood Donation Centre in Kraków
Media Patrons
