Wawel

Wawel (Polish pronunciation: [ˈvavɛl]) is a fortified architectural complex erected over many centuries atop a limestone outcrop on the left bank of the Vistula river in Kraków, Poland, at an altitude of 228 metres above sea level.

The complex consists of many buildings and fortifications; the largest and best known of these are the Royal Castle and the Wawel Cathedral (which is the Basilica of St Stanisław and St Wacław). Some of Wawel's oldest stone buildings, such as the Rotunda of the Virgin Mary can be dated to 970AD. There are also wooden parts of the complex which date to about the 9th century. The castle itself has been described as "one of the most fascinating of all European castles."

Wawel is a place of great significance to the Polish people: it first became a political power centre at the end of the first millennium AD and in the 9th century, the principal fortified castrum of the Vistulans tribe (Polish: Wiślanie). The first historical ruler Mieszko I of Poland (c.965–992) of the Piast dynasty and his successors: Boleslaw I the Brave (Polish: Bolesław I Chrobry; 992–1025) and Mieszko II (1025–1034) chose Wawel to be one of their residences. At the same time Wawel became one of the principal Polish centres of Christianity. The first early Romanesque buildings were erected there including a stone cathedral serving the bishopric of Kraków in the year 1000. From the reign of Casimir the Restorer (1034–1058) Wawel became the leading political and administrative centre for the Polish State.

Wawel (company)

Wawel is a Polish confectionery company, producing many varieties of chocolates, wafers, chocolate bars and snacks. Wawel is also a well-recognized brand of candy in Poland.

Originally founded in 1898 by Adam Piasecki in Kraków as a confectionery shop, in 1910 the production moved to a purspose-built factory, one of the largest in the city. After World War II the company was nationalised and merged with two other Kraków-based companies: Pischinger and Suchard. In 1992 the company was privatised and in 1998 entered the Warsaw Stock Exchange. In 2006 all three historic factories in Kraków were closed and production was moved to a new factory in Dobczyce. Since 2007 52.12% of its shares are owned by the german company Hosta International.

References

Wawel (disambiguation)

Wawel may refer to: