Czech Crown Jewels to Return to Prague Castle in September

The Czech Crown Jewels will once again be presented to the public at Prague Castle in September. In addition to the St Wenceslas Crown, visitors will also be able to view the royal sceptre and orb. This year's exhibition is being held under the theme “Habsburgs 500” and complements the Crown Jewels with other rare historical exhibits.

The ceremonial removal of the Crown Jewels from the Crown Chamber in St Vitus Cathedral will take place on 14 September. In the following days, school groups will be given the opportunity to view the precious regalia first. The exhibition will be open to the general public from 18 to 28 September. Admission will remain free of charge.

According to President Petr Pavel, the continuing high level of public interest confirms the decision to exhibit the Crown Jewels every year. In previous years, tens of thousands of people took the opportunity to see the most important symbols of Czech statehood at close range.

Foto: Pražský hrad | Zuzana Bönisch

This year, the exhibition carries the subtitle “Habsburgs 500”. As Veronika Wolf, Cultural and Programme Director of Prague Castle, explained, visitors to the Vladislav Hall of the Old Royal Palace will be able to explore the history of the Bohemian Crown Jewels from the accession of Ferdinand I in 1526 until the end of the 18th century.

The exhibition traces the journey of the Crown Jewels from their storage at Karlštejn Castle in the 16th century, through their transfer to Vienna during the Thirty Years' War, to their ceremonial return to Prague in 1791. Since then, the Crown Jewels have remained permanently at Prague Castle and are regarded as one of the most important symbols of Czech statehood and national identity.

Particular attention this year is being given to the richly decorated royal sceptre and orb, which Ferdinand I commissioned from Augsburg goldsmith Hans Haller in 1533. Originally, they served as the King's personal insignia of power. In the 17th century, however, they replaced older Gothic regalia and became part of the Bohemian Crown Jewels.

Foto: Pražský hrad | Zuzana Bönisch

The exhibition is complemented by the royal coronation robe from 1653, which was used during the coronations of Bohemian kings in the 18th century. Historical keys belonging to the guardians of the Crown Archive, along with other objects connected to the storage and protection of the Crown Jewels, will also be on display.

Interest in the exhibition has been growing for years. In autumn 2024, 46,609 people visited the presentation of the Crown Jewels. One year later, the figure rose to 51,553 visitors, including numerous school groups from across the Czech Republic.