The Bohemian royal crown made of pure gold, precious stones and pearls, the royal sceptre set with sapphires and the golden orb with a cross inlaid with precious stones. The Bohemian Crown Jewels will be displayed at Prague Castle.
The Bohemian Crown Jewels are among the most precious symbols of Czech statehood and national identity. This September, you have a rare opportunity to see them at Prague Castle and discover the fascinating stories surrounding their history.
According to tradition, they are preserved in St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle, secured by seven locks. Each key is entrusted to a different prominent person. According to legend, the Crown of Saint Wenceslas has magical powers. Supposedly, anyone who places the crown on his head without the right to do so will soon die.
It is still said that the impetus for the death of acting Reich Protector Reinhard Heydrich was his incognito visit to the St. Wenceslas Chapel in 1941, where he is said to have put on the crown himself. He died in 1942 as a result of an assassination attempt.
© Office of the President of the Republic, photo Jan William Drnek
Admission is free, making this a unique opportunity to explore one of the most powerful symbols of Czech history and culture.
The exhibition will be held in gothic Vladislav Hall of the Old Royal Palace.
Bohemian Crown Jewels – Habsburgs 500
This year’s exhibition commemorates 500 years since Ferdinand I of Habsburg ascended the Bohemian throne. It explores the close connection between the Bohemian Crown Jewels and the Habsburg dynasty, following the journey of the jewels from their safekeeping at Karlštejn Castle and their transfer to Vienna during the Thirty Years’ War to their ceremonial return to Prague in 1791.
Alongside the famous St. Wenceslas Crown, visitors can admire the richly decorated Royal Sceptre and Royal Orb, which originally served as Ferdinand I’s personal insignia. The exhibition also presents a coronation robe dating from 1653, historic keys to the Crown Archives and portraits of Habsburg monarchs. Together, these objects tell the story of the Crown Jewels as symbols of Czech statehood, historical continuity and national identity.A crown with magical powers
The Crown of Saint Wenceslas is one of the most beautiful crowns in Europe and was made for the coronation of the Roman Emperor and the greatest of the kings of Bohemia, Charles IV, in 1347. The jewels symbolize Czech statehood and national identity, which is why they always arouse great interest when they go on display.According to tradition, they are preserved in St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle, secured by seven locks. Each key is entrusted to a different prominent person. According to legend, the Crown of Saint Wenceslas has magical powers. Supposedly, anyone who places the crown on his head without the right to do so will soon die.
It is still said that the impetus for the death of acting Reich Protector Reinhard Heydrich was his incognito visit to the St. Wenceslas Chapel in 1941, where he is said to have put on the crown himself. He died in 1942 as a result of an assassination attempt.
© Office of the President of the Republic, photo Jan William Drnek
Admission is free, making this a unique opportunity to explore one of the most powerful symbols of Czech history and culture.
The exhibition will be held in gothic Vladislav Hall of the Old Royal Palace.
Address
Prague Castle Vladislav Hall, Prague 1 119, 11908 Prague 1
