The Wawel Cathedral is a church of Cracovia, considered the national sanctuary of Poland in which traditionally the coronations of the Polish sovereigns were celebrated and rises on the hill of the Wawel. The Wawel is a hill located on the left bank of the Vistula River and for Poles the hill is a symbolic place of great significance as it is home to both the castle and the cathedral where Poland's rulers are buried.
Today's cathedral is the third to be built on the site: the first was built of wood, but was destroyed by fire. Another one followed, which met the same end. The present building was consecrated in 1364 and constructed by order of the first king of Poland.
This building is considered to be the most important 'single building' and contains much that is original, although many additions have been made over the centuries.
