Sigismund's Chapel

Sigismund’s Chapel is a small Renaissance chapel attached to Wawel Cathedral on Wawel Hill in Kraków, Poland, built in the early 16th century as a royal mausoleum. It is widely regarded as one of the finest Renaissance structures in Poland.

The interior is notable for richly worked stone and sculptural decoration and houses the tombs of King Sigismund I and his son Sigismund II Augustus. The chapel’s artistic program reflects Italian Renaissance influence introduced to Poland in the early 1500s.

Commissioned by Sigismund I, construction was led by the Italian architect Bartolomeo Berrecci during the early 16th century and the chapel was intended and used as a dynastic burial space for the Jagiellonian dynasty.

The chapel is located on Wawel Hill as part of the Wawel Cathedral complex in central Kraków, adjoining the cathedral’s southern wall and accessible as part of visits to the Wawel ensemble.

• Construction dates and architect: Construction took place in the early 16th century under King Sigismund I and was carried out by the Italian architect Bartolomeo Berrecci between roughly 1519 and 1533.

What to See #

• Chapel location within Wawel Cathedral: The chapel forms an integral, free-standing burial chamber attached to the south side of Wawel Cathedral, richly decorated with Renaissance stonework and sculptural tombs.
• Royal tombs: The royal tombs for Sigismund I and Sigismund II Augustus are placed within the chapel and form its primary funerary function.