Nestled within the historic walls of Prague Castle, the Crown of Saint Wenceslas embodies the Czech Republic’s rich and tumultuous history. Crafted in 1347 for the coronation of Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, the crown is the fourth oldest in Europe and has been a symbol of Czech sovereignty for centuries.
The crown’s design is as unique as its legacy, with vertical fleurs-de-lis standing proudly at the front, back, and sides. It is composed of 22-carat gold and adorned with a stunning array of jewels including 19 sapphires, 30 emeralds, 44 spinels, 20 pearls, 1 ruby, 1 rubellite, and 1 aquamarine, weighing a total of 2,475 grams. At its pinnacle sits a cross, believed to contain a thorn from Christ’s crown of thorns, a detail that adds a divine aura to its splendour.
The crown is part of the Bohemian Crown Jewels, which also include the royal orb and sceptre, coronation vestments, a gold reliquary cross, and St. Wenceslas’ sword. These treasures have been safeguarded in St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle since 1791, with reproductions displayed in the historical exposition at the former royal palace.
One captivating story associated with the crown is the legend of the seven locks. The chamber that houses the crown jewels is secured by an iron door with seven locks, where keys are held by seven different high-ranking officials. This safeguarding measure ensures that no single person can access the crown.
#czechia🇨🇿 #visitprague #prague🇨🇿 #praguecastle #crown #king
