Muzeum Katedralne im. Jana Pawła II na Wawelu
Museum of the treasures of Wawel Cathedral in the Cathedral House: regalia and royal gifts, liturgical vestments and memorabilia of John Paul II.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The John Paul II Cathedral Museum was founded on the initiative of Cardinal Karol Wojtyła. From 1906 the Archdiocesan Museum had operated in the Cathedral House on Wawel; it was moved to Kazimierz in 1975, and the vacated rooms were allocated to a new institution devoted solely to the history of Wawel Cathedral. The solemn opening was performed by Cardinal Wojtyła on 28 September 1978, who donated to the collections a goblet which, according to legend, belonged to Queen Jadwiga.
The museum is owned by the parish of the archcathedral of St Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr and St Wenceslas, and it is housed in the Cathedral House on Wawel Hill. The collections occupy two floors and are among the most valuable collections in Poland in terms of history and art. They present above all objects from the Cathedral Treasury that were previously not accessible to visitors, as well as liturgical vestments, works of art and historical memorabilia.
The permanent exhibition is divided into four rooms: the royal room, two rooms of the Cathedral Treasury (from the 11th–16th and the 17th–20th centuries) and the papal room. From time to time the museum also takes part in larger projects, such as the exhibition “Wawel 1000–2000”, and its ticket is valid together with admission to the cathedral, the Dzwon Zygmunta (Sigismund Bell), the Groby Królewskie (Royal Tombs) and the Archdiocesan Museum.
Highlights
- Royal room with coronation and tomb regalia, including the helmet crown of Casimir the Great
- Spear of St Maurice and the racjonał (rationale) of the bishops of Kraków, from the endowment of St Jadwiga
- Two rooms of the Cathedral Treasury with gifts from bishops, kings and magnates
- Papal room with memorabilia of John Paul II
- Golden rose of Queen Maria Józefa from 1736
Permanent exhibition
- Skarby katedry wawelskiej – Permanent exhibition in four rooms: the royal room, two rooms of the Cathedral Treasury (11th–16th and 17th–20th centuries) and the papal room, with works of art, vestments and historical memorabilia.
- Founded
- 1978
- Operated by
- Parafia Archikatedralna św. Stanisława Biskupa Męczennika i św. Wacława w Krakowie
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 26 zł |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 18 złchildren and school pupils, students up to age 26 (Polish student ID or ISIC), teachers, pensioners and people receiving disability pensions (including those over 65), holders of the Polish Large Family Card, and people with disabilities |
| Children & teens | 18 złChildren and school pupils pay the reduced ticket. |
| Seniors | 18 złReduced ticket for pensioners and people receiving disability pensions (with proof of status, or aged 65+ with an identity document). |
| Visitors with disabilities | 18 złReduced ticket upon presentation of a Polish ID or certificate. |
| Students & apprentices | 18 złReduced ticket for students up to age 26. |
| Groups (11+ people) | 23 zł per personOrganised groups of more than 10 people and their carers; reduced ticket for groups PLN 16. |
| Audio guide – standard | 15 zł |
| Audio guide – reduced | 11 zł |
| Audio guide – group (per person) | 9 zł |
| Radio system for groups (per person) | 5 złMandatory for guided groups of at least 25 people. |
One ticket covers the Wawel Cathedral, the Sigismund Bell, the Royal Tombs, the Cathedral Museum and the Archdiocesan Museum. Tickets for the Royal Castle on Wawel are bought separately at the castle ticket offices.
Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 20 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (PL, EN, CS, FR, ES, DE, RU, SK, HU, IT, UK) |
| Good to know | The audio guide leads through the cathedral and the collections of the Cathedral Museum; the route with the Sigismund Bell takes about 40 minutes, the Royal Tombs about 10 minutes, and the Cathedral Museum about 20 minutes. The devices are issued at the latest 80 minutes before the cathedral closes (booking: tel. +48 12 429 33 27 ext. 69 or +48 572 293 831, audioprzewodniki@gmail.com). |
