Royal Tombs

A row of crypts in Wawel’s Royal Cathedral is the only necropolis of its kind in Poland. Until 1533, the bodies of the monarchs were laid in sarcophagus tombs or under church floors. It was only King Sigismund the Old who ordered that special crypts be built in the vaults to house future tombs. From that time on, tradition had the rulers of Poland and members of their royal families buried here. It continued even after the royal court moved to Warsaw, an exception being made only for the last three Kings of Poland. Thus the last king buried here is August II the Strong (d. 1733). Altogether, the crypts are the resting place of 15 Polish kings and 12 queens. This pantheon of Polish rulers acquired a special, greater significance during the Partitions of Poland, when the mortal remains of national heroes were laid to rest in the crypt of St Leonard: Prince Józef Poniatowski (in 1817) and Tadeusz Kościuszko (in 1818). This Romanesque crypt, being a relic of the second oldest cathedral, the so-called “Hermanowska”, was included in the series of modern crypts. The changes introduced in 1872-1874 allowed visits to be made to the vaults. In 1937, a passage was made from the crypts to the Tower of Silver Bells, where the body of Marshal Józef Piłsudski was deposited in a silver coffin.

The last ceremonial burial was held here in 1993, when the mortal remains of General Władysław Sikorski were brought from the United Kingdom and reburied here.

Here You can find more information on visiting the Royal Tombs.