Rules and Regulations

1. Wawel Hill is open to visitors every day from 6:00 a.m. until dusk (closing time is dependent on the season and made public).
2. In special situations related to the functioning of the Institution and/or in the event of especially large numbers of visitors Wawel Hill/the exhibitions/the buildings/green areas/tours may be temporarily closed. In addition, opening and closing hours may be subject to change
3. Wawel Royal Castle’s Arcaded Courtyard of opens to visitors at 7:00 a.m. and closes one half hour before the closing of the gates.
4. The following are prohibited:
   a) weapons of any kind, or other items that could pose a danger to life or health;
   b) animals, with the exception of assistance dogs (as per Art. 2, pt. 11 of The Act of 27 August 1997 on vocational and social rehabilitation and employment of disabled people (i.e. Journal of Laws of 2020, 426, as amended) and the Regulation of the Minister of Labor and Social Policy of April 1, 2010 on the issuing of certificates confirming the status of assistance dogs (Journal of Laws of 2010 No. 64, item 399);
   c) luggage exceeding 55 x 40 x 23 cm (or any of these dimensions) or 118 cm total dimensions;
   d) the organization of public gatherings, promotional or advertising activities, and protests;
   e) the organization of multimedia presentations, exhibiting banners, symbols, and emblems of any political parties or organizations (with the exception of Polish national symbols) inside the premises and on its walls, inside and outside;
   f) entering grassy areas that constitute an archeological reserve; entering flower beds; climbing on walls; or entering any other areas closed to visitor traffic;
   g) bringing and consuming alcoholic beverages outside of restaurant areas;
   h) disturbing the peace, loud behavior, playing loud music or musical instruments, the use of sound amplification equipment;
   i) brining in or riding bicycles, scooters, roller blades or skates, skate boards, or any other wheeled vehicles or electric wheeled vehicles;
   j) feeding the birds;
   k) activities prohibited by the provisions of Resolution No. XC / 2361/17 (as amended) of the Krakow City Council on the creation of a cultural park called Old Town Culture Park (with later changes).
5. In addition, eating and smoking are prohibited in the Wawel Royal Castle’s Arcaded Courtyard.
6. The following require prior permission from the Wawel Royal Castle Administration:
   a) artistic or sales activity (including solicitation of services);
   b) commercial filming or photography;
   c) the entry of motorized vehicles, bicycles, electric bicycles, etc. requires the consent of the Wawel Royal Castle Administration (wheelchairs, baby carriages and strollers, and tricycles are exempt);
   d) the use of UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and remote controlled vehicles.
7. Wawel Hill has 24-hour security cameras for the protection of property and safety in the monitored premises. The basis for the processing of data collected by the monitoring system the fulfillment of the legal obligation and the performance of tasks carried out in the public interest in compliance with article 6, paragraph 1, pt. c of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation). The full information clause and contact to the Data Protection Officer are available on the website: wawel.krakow.pl/rodo. Monitoring records are kept for a maximum of 30 days and then overwritten.
8. Wawel Hill is protected by the internal security service – Straż Zamkowa (Wawel Royal Castle Security) on the basis of the Protection of Persons and Property Act of August 22, 1997 ( 2020 Journal of Laws, pos. 838).
9. In situations justified by safety concerns, persons entering the premises of the facility or building may be asked to submit to a security screening, which may include the use of devices that emit electromagnetic and/or ionizing radiation. They are safe to use for the security screening of people and objects. Voluntary submission to security screening is a condition for permission to enter the premises of the facility or building.

1. The policies and opening hours governing the visits to temporary and permanent exhibitions at Wawel Royal Castle – State Art Collection are established by the Institution.
2. Detailed information on visiting the Castle’s permanent and temporary exhibitions, temporary exhibition closures, special events, guide services, and educational programs, as well as opening hours and ticket prices are available on the Castle’s website, at Ticket Offices, Information Desk, and Reservations Office.
3. Entrance to the exhibitions requires a valid ticket.
4. Present valid documents entitling you to a discount before you purchase your ticket; online ticket holders should present valid ID at the exhibition entrance.

1. Tickets are issued for individual viewing of exhibitions, without a tour guide, unless the exhibition states otherwise (that the exhibition tour is included in the price).
2. Individual visitors can make reservations for tickets and guide services.
3. 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.
4. The right to lead exhibition and outdoor tours at the Castle is reserved for tour guides authorized by the Director.
5. Organized groups must make reservations ahead of time for visits from April 1–October 31.
6. Failure to pay for a reservation within the designated time period will result in the cancellation of the reservation, however, the ordering party will be charged for the cost of the ticket and/or guide service, as applicable.
7. Guided tour groups of more than 8 people must use earphones. Exemptions possible only by decision of the director of Wawel Royal Castle.
8. One day each week, selected exhibitions are made available to visitors free of charge. The ticket office issues free passes for designated entry times in accordance with visitor limits. Reservations are not accepted for free admission days. Free passes are issued only to individual visitors, not to group tours.
9. For conservation reasons the following restrictions apply in the Castle exhibitions: the number of people permitted in one exhibition at any time is limited; the number of tickets is available each day is limited; group size is limited. Detailed information on group visits is available in the Reservations Office.
10. Last visitor entry times for each exhibition are established on an individual basis and posted on the museum’s website, in the reservations office, and at the ticket windows.
11. Exhibition visitors are required to follow the regulations outlined in the Wawel Hill Visitor Policies. In addition, the following rules and regulations apply:
    a. sharp objects, weapons or ammunition of any kind, and any other objects or materials that may pose a hazard to life or safety are prohibited;
    b. speaking on cell phones is not permitted;
    c. do not touch the works of art or other elements of the exhibitions;
    d. do not walk or stand on the carpets or sit on the chairs – they are museum objects;
    e. visitors under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or similar substances will not be allowed to enter the exhibitions;
    f. smoking and the use of lighters, matches etc. are not permitted;
    g. food and drink are not permitted;
    h. do not slide on the floors;
12. Before entering the exhibitions, check all backpacks, large bags, luggage, baby backpacks, umbrellas, Nordic walking sticks (mobility aids excepted), baby strollers, and carriages.
13. Wawel Royal Castle is not liable for delicate objects or valuables left in checked bags or left elsewhere in the buildings or on the grounds of the Castle.
14. Visitors are requested 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 each other in the doorways.
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. Visitors must follow the directions of Wawel Royal Castle museum staff and Wawel Royal Castle Security while at the Castle and on its grounds.
17. On the basis of the powers conferred by 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, or behave in a manner threatening the safety of the collections or other people, disturbing other visitors, or in any other way violating accepted norms of conduct in a public place.
18. Unless otherwise indicated, you may take photographs or make videos for personal use in the permanent and temporary exhibitions. The use of flash, tripods, and selfie sticks is prohibited.
19. Parents or guardians are responsible for their underage children.
20. Wheelchairs are available for disabled visitors. Visitors who borrow wheelchairs are asked to return them to the place where they received it.
21. Visitors with disabilities may visit the exhibitions with service dogs (in accordance with Art. 2 pt. 11 of the Act of 27 August 1997 on vocational and social rehabilitation and employment of disabled people (i.e. Journal of Laws of 2020, 426, as amended) and the Regulation of the Minister of Labor and Social Policy of April 1, 2010 on the issuing of certificates confirming the status of assistance dogs (Journal of Laws of 2010 No. 64, item 399).

III. Personal Data Protection
The exhibition spaces are equipped with visual security systems for the protection of property and safety in the monitored premises. The basis for the processing of data collected by the monitoring system the fulfillment of the legal obligation and the performance of tasks carried out in the public interest in compliance with article 6, paragraph 1, pt. c of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation). The full information clause and contact to the Data Protection Officer are available on the website: wawel.krakow.pl/rodo. Monitoring records are kept for a maximum of 30 days and then overwritten.

IV. Special Guidelines in Force during the Pandemic
In conjunction with the announcement of a state of epidemic in the Republic of Poland caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus (which causes COVID-19), Wawel Royal Castle – State Art Collection has introduced detailed guidelines regarding visitor traffic flow and conduct whilst on the premises of Wawel Hill, in compliance with applicable current regulations published online by www.rcb.gov.pl and www.gov.pl/web/koronawirus/aktualne-zasady-i-ograniczenia

Compliance with the guidelines listed in point IV does not exempt visitors from the obligation to comply with the guidelines listed in point II of the Visitor Policies.

Implemented in accordance with the Director’s Internal Directive no. 27 of February 24, 2021