The Mysterious Power of Stones: Bohemian crown jewels go on display at Prague Castle
As of today people have the rare opportunity to view the authentic Bohemian crown jewels which have been put on display in the Vladislav Hall of Prague Castle. These priceless symbols of the Czech nation are being exhibited for a fortnight to mark the Day of Czech Statehood on September 28th.
A bejewelled crown, a golden orb and sceptre, a long iron sword, a red silk cloak – the Bohemian crown jewels are mesmerising symbols of authority used in the coronations of kings and queens of Bohemia. Getting a glimpse of these medieval treasures has previously been a rare privilage, but now Petr Pavel, in his capacity as president, has decided that the crown jewels are to be displayed annually.
Most of the objects in the set date to the mid-fourteenth century, when Charles IV ordered them to be made for his coronation as King of Bohemia.
Chief among the treasures is the Crown of St. Wenceslas, dedicated to the duke and patron saint of Czechia, whose feast day is also the Day of Czech Statehood. It is the fourth oldest royal crown in Europe, and was last used for the coronation of Ferdinand V in 1836. The crown is made of gold and decorated with over ninety precious stones.
These stones and their history will receive special attention in this year’s exhibition of the crown jewels, which is entitled The Mysterious Power of Stones.
Petr Kroupa, head of the Department of Heritage Protection at Prague Castle, describes the crown:
“The crown consists of a headdress, which is composed of four parts, and in the middle of each part is a fleur-de-lis. All the parts are set with large, precious stones – ninety-six precious stones and twenty pearls, among them sapphires, emeralds, a ruby and an aquamarine. It is said that some may have belonged to Charles's first wife, Blanche of Valois. Right at the top there is a gold cross inlaid with a sapphire, with a carving of the crucifixion of Christ.”
Unlike other famous crowns, the small cross sits directly on top of the crown, rather than on a small orb known as a monde. The cross is hollow, and it may still contain a single thorn. This was believed to come from the crown of thorns of Christ, and Charles IV received it personally from King John II of France. The crown therefore clearly demonstrates Bohemia’s wealth, power and international connections at that time.
According to legend, only a rightful ruler of Bohemia can wear it. Doom awaits any illegitimate wearers, such as Reinhard Heydrich, the Deputy Protector of Bohemia and Moravia, who is said to have crowned himself secretly while inspecting the crown jewels, and was assassinated less than a year later.
The crown jewels on display include the crown, orb, sceptre and coronation cloak, although the set also comprises the golden Coronation Cross and the Sword of St. Wenceslas. The plain iron sword may be considerably older than the rest of the crown jewels, perhaps even dating back to the days of St. Wenceslas himself.
The cross and sword are on permanent display in the treasury of St. Vitus Cathedral, while the rest are kept in an off-limits chamber within the cathedral.
The crown jewels will be on display in the Vladislav Hall, opposite St. Vitus, from the 17th to the 30th of September. The exhibition will be open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, except on Thursday 19th and 26th.
