Wawel Royal Castle in Cracow used to be the residents of the former rulers of Poland. The history of the castle dates back most probably to the 11th century. During the reigns of Władysław the Short and Casimir III the Great the castle was systematically extended and modernized. Numerous reconstructions of the castle’s architecture were made due to military actions, incursions and fires. During World War II the Wawel Royal Castle was used as a residence of Hans Frank – a Nazi German official. Today when visiting the castle tourists may see the Royal Private Apartments, Representative Royal Chambers, Crown Treasury and Armory, Royal Gardens and towers: Sigismund Vasa’s Tower, Jan Sobieski Tower and Danish Tower. The arcade cloisters at the courtyard, to which the Bartolommeo Berrecci’s Gate leads, are the most characteristic part of the Royal Castle architecture.
