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US Air Force trumpeter plays Poland's iconic bugle call

22.04.2026 16:30
A US Air Force trumpeter fulfilled a long-held dream this week by performing Poland's iconic bugle call from the tower of St. Mary’s Basilica in the southern city of Kraków.
Audio
The Kraków bugle call is played every hour on the hour in four directions: to the south for the king and the royal Wawel Castle, to the west for the city mayor, to the east for the fire brigade commander, and to the north for visitors arriving in the city.
The Kraków bugle call is played every hour on the hour in four directions: to the south "for the king and the royal Wawel Castle," to the west "for the city mayor," to the east "for the fire brigade commander," and to the north "for visitors arriving in the city."Photo: marek7400, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

The centuries-old hejnał rang out over the city's main market square on Monday afternoon—but instead of a local bugler, the notes were played by Sgt. Nick Del Villano of the US Air Forces in Europe Band.

Del Villano later told reporters he was deeply moved, describing the performance as a dream he had held since his first visit to Kraków several years ago.

He is only the third American to be granted the honour.

(mo/gs)

Click on the audio player above for a report by Michał Owczarek.