Royal Gardens (Wawel)

Royal Gardens ( Polish Ogrody Królewskie ) - a former garden in the territory of Wawel , Krakow . At the present time, archaeological research has been carried out on the territory of the Royal Gardens since the 90s of the 20th century, and an exposition representing the alleged fragment of the Royal Gardens is demonstrated.

Sight
Royal gardens
Ogrody Królewskie
A country	Poland
Malopolska	Krakow , Wawel
First mention	1536 year

Exposure of the Royal Gardens

Due to the existing historical documents and archaeological artifacts, it is believed that in the 16th century there was a garden between the eastern wing of the royal castle and the defensive wall. It is assumed that the garden was founded in 1536. The garden was divided into two parts. The upper part, which was located on the defensive wall, was courted by the second wife of Sigismund I, Bon Sforza . In this part of the garden, medicinal and odorous herbs were grown in specially made oak boxes. The lower part of the garden belonged to the king. The lower garden was divided by brick pavements reinforced with mortar, between which the ground was placed and fruit trees were planted. In this part of the garden there was a gazebo called “Paradise” in which Sigismund I rested. In the same part there were vineyards and a poultry house. Not far from the defensive wall, archaeologists discovered a brick sidewalk leading to the royal bath.

The royal gardens existed until the end of the XVIII century. During the Flood , the royal bath was destroyed. The further destruction of the Royal Gardens was influenced by the fortification construction, which was carried out by the Austrian authorities at the end of the XVIII century. The first attempts to restore the Royal Gardens were made in the period between the two world wars. During World War II, Governor-General Hans Frank built a tennis court and swimming pool on the lower part of the Royal Gardens, which lasted until 2004.

Currently, archaeological work is being done on the lower part of the Royal Gardens. On the upper part for tourists there is an exposition with oak boxes with various plants, representing the upper part of the royal gardens of the XVI century.