WAWEL HILL VISITOR POLICIES

The Wawel Royal Castle – State Art Collection (hereafter referred to as “the Institution”) is a national cultural institution whose overriding mission is the preservation of the landmark historic site and buildings. Wawel Hill is a national cultural, historic, and religious monument and as such has special preservation status.
The following Visitor Policies have been issued by the Wawel Royal Castle – State Art Collection in its capacity as the administrator of 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.

I. General Policies

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).
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
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.
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).
In addition, eating and smoking are prohibited in the Wawel Royal Castle’s Arcaded Courtyard.
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.
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.
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).
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.

II. 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.

Visitors are required to respect the instructions of Wawel Castle Security Staff regarding public safety (including epidemic safety).

Implemented in accordance with the Director’s Internal Directive no. 26 of February 24, 2021