Today marks the end of the exhibition of the Bohemian Crown Jewels at St Vitus Cathedral in Prague. This evening, in keeping with long-standing tradition, they will be placed back in the Crown Chamber by seven keyholders.
Later this evening, the seven keyholders will gather to unlock the doors to the Crown Chamber of St Vitus Cathedral and secure the priceless Crown Jewels once again for another year following this year’s exhibition.
The regalia had been on display since 16 September as part of the exhibition Treasure in the Dark. The exhibition shed particular light on the fate of the royal insignia during the Second World War, the end of which is being marked this year on its 80th anniversary. Visitors were able to follow, among other things, the almost detective-like story of the highly secret transport of the Crown Jewels to Slovakia in 1938 and their hasty return to Prague.
The exhibition of the Bohemian Crown Jewels ends today, 29 September, at 5 p.m. Afterwards, the jewels will be examined by restorers, and around 7 p.m. the seven senior representatives of the state, the Catholic Church and the City of Prague will gather at St Vitus Cathedral.
Last year, President Petr Pavel decided that the Crown Jewels to be displayed annually on the occasion of the national holiday of St Wenceslas, 28 September. The Bohemian Crown Jewels include the Crown of Saint Wenceslas, the royal sceptre, the orb, their leather cases, the cushion for the crown, as well as the coronation cloak and accessories. The crown was commissioned in 1346 by Charles IV for his coronation as King of Bohemia.
Since the founding of the Czech Republic, the Crown Jewels have been displayed publicly on eight occasions – twice under Presidents Václav Havel and Václav Klaus, and four times under Miloš Zeman. The longest exhibition lasted for fifteen days in May 2016. Typically, tens of thousands have attended; last year, the Castle registered over 47,000 visitors.
The tradition of public exhibitions of the Crown Jewels dates back to the First Republic. The first presentation took place in 1929 to mark the 1000th anniversary of the death of St Wenceslas.
