Wawel Castle was commissioned by Casimir III the Great and comprises several structures around a central courtyard. During the 14th century, it was renovated by Jogaila and Hedwig I, who added the Hen's Foot tower and the Danish tower, along with the Chamber of Hedwig and Jogaila, which houses the Szczerbiec sword used in coronation ceremonies. Barracks and defenses were erected on the hill, becoming the historical and cultural epicenter of Poland, being the royal residence and symbol of the country.

The architecture of the castle shows Romanesque and Gothic elements, but its current appearance is mainly due to the Renaissance reconstruction during the reign of Alexander Jagiellon and Sigismund I the Old. The works of artists such as Eberhard Rosemberg and Bartolomeo Berrecci, who turned it into an important European Renaissance monument, stand out.

Throughout its history, Wawel has witnessed significant changes, from fires to invasions, but has maintained its importance as a center of power. After being occupied and modernized by different powers, it was restored and converted into a national museum after World War II. Today, it houses the Crown Treasury and various exhibitions, being a highlight on Unesco's World Heritage List. A fragment of the castle is even located in the Tribune Tower skyscraper in Chicago, as a tribute to the Polish community in the city.