Romanesque (11th – 12th Century)
At some time between 1038–1039 Casimir I the Restorer returned to Poland and it is supposed that Kraków became the royal residence and the capital of Poland at this time.
At the end of the 11th century construction work began on the second cathedral, called ‘Hermanowska’, it is probable that Władysław I Herman was its benefactor. The cathedral was consecrated in 1142. Much more is known about this cathedral because its image is preserved on a chapterhouse seal from the 13th century and its remains are better preserved – the lower part of the Silver Bell Tower and entire trinaval St. Leonard's Crypt supported by eight columns. In 1118 bishop Maurus was buried there. The paten and the chalice were later exhumed from the tomb. This period also gave rise to:
- The Rotunda by the Bastion of Ladislaus IV of Hungary from the 12th century; it could have been a baptistery
- Church near the Dragon’s Den
- Rotunda by the Sandomierska Tower – probably from the second half of the 11th century
Read more about this topic: Wawel