When most travelers think of Prague, they think of Charles Bridge, beer, the astronomical clock, and maybe even fried cheese. But few symbols are as steeped in legend, mystery, and majesty as the Czech Crown Jewels. These aren’t just ordinary jewels displayed in a display case. They’re artifacts that hold the stories of Czech kings, Hussite rebellions, Nazi occupiers, and modern presidents. And while seeing them with your own eyes is a rare opportunity, it’s worth knowing what lies behind those glittering gems.
TREASURE IN THE DARKNESS
At Prague Castle, I visited an exhibition subtitled The Czech Crown Jewels: Treasure in the Darkness. I was really looking forward to it. As the title suggests, I had the opportunity to learn about the fate of the royal jewels during World War II. The exhibition told the dramatic story of the jewels through period photographs. And I must say, it was a great success.
TIMELINE OF THE CROWN JEWELS
History can be boring sometimes, but not when it comes to the Crown Jewels. On the contrary, it’s very interesting to see what has happened to them over time.
1346–1347: Birth of the Crown
Charles IV has the St. Wenceslas Crown made for his coronation. The crown is dedicated to St. Wenceslas, which means that it belongs to him, not to the king. The monarch may only wear it at the coronation.
15. století: Hussite Wars
The jewels are hidden away so they don’t end up melted down into weapons. This is when the tradition begins of treating them with sacred reverence and only displaying them on special occasions.
1526: The Habsburgs on the throne
After the Habsburgs came to power, the jewels were used for the coronations of Habsburg kings. For the Habsburgs, this was a way to demonstrate the legitimacy of their rule in the Czech lands.
1619–1620: Estates’ uprising
King Frederick the Palatinate (“Winter King”) has his own crown jewels made. After the Battle of White Mountain, his crown disappears, leaving only the original jewels of Charles IV in use.
1791: The last Prague coronation
Leopold II was the last monarch to be crowned in Prague. Later, the tradition of coronations faded away, but the jewels remained in the cathedral.
1918: The formation of Czechoslovakia
The fall of the monarchy means that jewels cease to be used for their original purpose. They become symbols of history and statehood, not of current power.
1939–1945: World War II
During the occupation, the jewels were stored at Prague Castle. A legend arose that Reinhard Heydrich put on the crown and thus invited death upon himself. Whether true or not, the legend survives to this day.
1945–1989: Socialism and rare exhibition
After the war, the jewels are rarely displayed, mainly on important anniversaries. The communist regime uses them as a symbol of “national tradition” but carefully controls their presentation.
1993: Division of Czechoslovakia
After the establishment of the independent Czech Republic, the keys to the vault were transferred to new constitutional officials. The tradition of seven key holders was preserved.
2003: Anniversary exhibition
The jewels are on display to mark the tenth anniversary of the independent Czech Republic. Queues at Prague Castle are hundreds of meters long. People wait for hours to see them.
2018: 100 years of the Republic
The crown jewels are shown to the public on the occasion of the centenary of the founding of Czechoslovakia. Interest is huge, with more than 100,000 visitors coming to the exhibition.
Present
The crown jewels were only exhibited exceptionally, on average once every 5–7 years, during important anniversaries. Most of the time they remained hidden in a chamber of St. Vitus Cathedral behind seven locks. Under the current president, Peter Paul, they are exhibited every year so that people do not have to stand in undignified queues.
WHAT DOES THE CROWN JEWELS COLLECTION CONTAINS?
The collection includes the St. Wenceslas Crown, the royal scepter, the royal orb, leather cases, a crown cushion, and a coronation robe with accessories.
CROWN OF CHARLES IV.
The main star of the treasury is undoubtedly the Crown of St. Wenceslas. It was made by Charles IV. in 1346. He believed that it would not only be a symbol of power, but also the spiritual protection of the Czech kingdom. Interestingly, the crown was not intended for Charles himself. Officially, it belongs to Saint Wenceslas. Every Czech monarch could only wear it during the coronation, and then it returned to the St. Wenceslas treasury.
The crown is made of solid 22-karat gold, weighs almost 2,400 grams, and is decorated with 19 sapphires, 30 emeralds, 44 spinels, one ruby, one aquamarine, 1 rubellite, and even 20 pearls.
If we had the opportunity and looked at the crown from above, we would see two crossed arches at the top. These carry a top cross and are decorated with links from the belt of Queen Blanche of Valois, the first wife of Charles IV, which she received in France as a wedding gift. It is a completely different goldsmith’s work, gold of a different purity and the setting of the stones in a different way. Emeralds, rubies and spinels and other pearls are used there.
The crossed arches bear a golden cross at the top. Inside the cross is an alleged thorn from Christ’s crown of thorns, given to Charles IV by his brother-in-law John II the Good of Valois. Around the circumference is an inscription: “Here is a thorn from the crown of the Lord.” So the crown also served as a reliquary in a way. The thorn was inserted into the golden cross, but since it was not visible, it was necessary to immortalize with an inscription that the relic was stored there. Today we lack information whether the thorn is still there. This has not been found out and may never be found out. And honestly, I don’t think anyone mind that the crown keeps some points of mystery.
STONES THAT HAVE SURVIVED CENTURIES
What is perhaps most fascinating? Most of the gems on the crown and other insignia date back to the time of Charles IV. This means that they were mined, cut and set more than 650 years ago. And yet they have survived in their beauty to this day. That in itself is a small miracle.
A RUBY THAT IS NOT A RUBY
Let’s start with the biggest sensation. On the front of the crown stands a huge red stone, which was so important to Charles IV that he had the crown modified for it. For centuries it was considered a ruby. And not just any ruby. It was supposed to be one of the largest rubies in the world. But modern research in 1998 showed that it is rubellite, a red variety of tourmaline. Its origin is a mystery, but this type of rubellite is only found in a special rock from Afghanistan and northern Pakistan. Our stone probably comes from this area.
RED STONES ARE SPINELS
Most of the red stones on the crown are spinel. Spinel is often used in jewelry as a cheaper substitute for ruby or sapphire. Spinel is “just” a semi-precious stone, but due to its color and rarity, it was often mistaken for ruby in the Middle Ages. However, it is currently also sought after separately as a unique stone with a specific color. Spinel is a stone that, according to esoteric traditions, has strong healing effects. It is believed to help restore energy, revitalize and eliminate the negative effects of stress. Black spinel symbolizes protection, strength and grounding. It is associated with Capricorns, who help support determination and motivation.
SAPPHIRES BLUER THAN THE SKY
The crown is also decorated with 19 sapphires, which are among the purest medieval specimens ever. Sapphire has always been associated with heaven, wisdom and divine order. For Charles IV, who was fond of symbolism, it was the ideal stone to remind him that the monarch rules “under the supervision of God”. Interestingly, some of the sapphires were not cut until the modern era, because medieval jewelers did not yet have today’s technology. This means that the crown bears traces not only of the 14th century, but also of later interventions.
THE ONLY AQUAMARINE
On the right side of the crown is a stone that was thought to be a sapphire. It was not until 1998 that research proved it to be an aquamarine. If you look closely, you will see that there are yellow threads visible on it. It turned out that these are actually hollow channels filled with yellow iron oxides. This came to us along with the sapphires from Sri Lanka.
PEARLS
The crown also features 20 pearls: four large ones on top of the lilies and 16 small ones on the arches. These are natural pearls of marine origin. Four of them come from the Indian Ocean, mainly from the Persian Gulf.
EMERALD GREEN AS BOHEMIAN MEADOWLANDS
The next chapter is the emeralds, of which there are 30 pieces in total. The green color symbolizes life, renewal and hope. The emeralds on the crown are probably of Colombian or Austrian origin and have a characteristic deep color. Interestingly, some of them have small inclusions, i.e. “cracks” inside the stone. For today’s jewelers, this would be a defect, but for a medieval person it was a sign that the stone was natural and had its own “soul”.
APPLE AND SCEPTER:
SYMBOLS OF POWER
I must not forget the royal apple and scepter. The apple is made of hollow gold and is decorated with sapphires, rubies and spinels. It has a cross on top, which symbolizes that the monarch’s power comes from God. The scepter is simpler, but just as impressive. It is inlaid with diamonds and rubies. Interestingly, both “insignia” were not completed until the 16th century, so they were added to the original crown of Charles IV. later. The coronation set, as we know it today, was created gradually.
If you look closely at the apple, you will find that the two hemispheres are separated by a ring with stones and pearls. It is decorated with hammered reliefs from the Old Testament. The lower part depicts the Creation of Adam, the Introduction of Adam to Paradise and the Warning of Adam and Eve against the Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. The upper part shows David’s Fight with Goliath and the Anointing of David as King.
The royal scepter was not made until 1534 for Ferdinand I of Habsburg.
WHAT IS AN INSIGNIA?
They are ceremonial badges or symbols that indicate a person’s rank, position, or affiliation with a particular institution, such as a college or government office. Derived from the Latin word “insigne” and often used on official occasions, such as university graduations, to symbolize the legitimacy of the position. Kings, statesmen, and church leaders may hold insignia that are a symbol of their power.
WHEN JEWELRY DOESN’T JUST SHIN WITH BEAUTY
Each stone on the crown has a symbolic meaning. Sapphires are traditionally associated with heavenly purity, emeralds with life and hope, rubies with power and passion. And when you imagine that these gems accompanied Charles IV, Vladislav Jagiellon or Ferdinand I during their coronations, they suddenly take on a completely different dimension than just a luxurious ornament.
SEVEN KEYS TO THE SECRET
Perhaps the most interesting thing is not so much the crown itself, but how it is kept. You already know that the crown jewels are not behind glass in a museum. But they are hidden in a chamber above the St. Wenceslas Chapel in St. Vitus Cathedral. And to make it even more special, the chamber is locked with seven locks and each key is held by a different important person. The President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the Archbishop of Prague, the Chairman of the Senate, the Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies, the Mayor of Prague and the Dean of the Metropolitan Chapter. Only when all seven key holders meet can the vault be opened. So if you wanted to see the crown today, for example, you would have to convene a small political-ecclesiastical summit. 🙂
CODE NAME “KFC”
A DETECTIVE STORY
One of the curiosities I saw at today’s exhibition was a massive oak box that was made for one specific purpose. In September 1938, fears of war were already growing, and that is why the then president Edvard Beneš decided that the greatest Czech treasure should be stored in such a way that in the event of a threat it would not be harmed. The transport of the jewels required the consent of all key holders (from the Crown Chamber), but the main word remained with the president of the republic, Edvard Beneš.
In a period photograph we can see how the individual parts were preserved. The largest of the compartments belonged to the crown, then there was a pillow and then a cloak. The transport was provided by Tatra cars. When they crossed the Slovak border in the morning, fog fell, so one of the cars got lost and took the wrong turn, and the other had to wait for it. Suddenly there was a loud bang and the cars collided. Everyone was very scared if they would be able to continue. In the end, everything turned out well, the car with the valuable cargo was repaired and they continued to Žilina. The city was chosen at that time because it was the operational base of the Czechoslovak army.
The operation during which the jewels were transported to Žilina was codenamed KFC. Thanks to this move, where the jewels survived the crisis, they were saved from being stolen by the Nazis. After the signing of the Munich Agreement and due to political developments in Slovakia, it was decided to quickly return them to Prague. And then you know it. A dark chapter in Czech history began.
As the war progressed and aerial bombardment threatened, the jewels were hidden in a Romanesque cellar beneath the Old Castle. A brick chamber was constructed for the jewels, and they remained there until the end of the war.
WHAT DID THE ABBREVIATION “KFC” MEAN?
KFC is an abbreviation for the slogan Jewels Fascinating Prices, which was invented by someone from the Office of the President of the Republic to keep the operation perfectly secret.
HISTORICAL CURIOSITIES AND FUNDAMENTALS
HEYDRICH’S CURSE
One of the most famous legends says that Reinhard Heydrich, the Nazi protector of Bohemia and Moravia, secretly put on the St. Wenceslas Crown during the occupation. And according to legend, anyone who does so without authorization will die within a year. Heydrich was fatally wounded in an assassination attempt a few months later. Historians still doubt whether he actually put on the crown, but the legend has its charm and gives the jewels a mystical touch.
POLITICAL DRAMA
You already know that the jewels are guarded by seven keys. But few people suspect that there have been political disputes over this on more than one occasion. All it takes is for one of the key holders to refuse to come, and the jewels remain inaccessible. In the 1990s, there was even a discussion about whether the president could “borrow” the key in such a case, or whether the constitution would have to be changed.
CROWN IN EXILE
There are also theories that the crown was replaced with a copy during the wars and the real one was hidden. It sounds like a scenario from an Indiana Jones movie, but we are not 100% sure. At least some documents suggest that the jewels were manipulated more during World War II than is officially admitted.
THE CROWN AS A POLITICAL TOOL
Throughout history, the crown has not only been a beautiful piece of jewelry, but also a powerful symbol. When the Habsburgs needed to show that they were the legitimate rulers of the Czech lands, they held magnificent coronations. On the contrary, after 1918, when the monarchy fell, the crown remained in the cathedral as a reminder of the past, but was never used again. Nevertheless, its presence in the heart of Prague is a reminder that the Czech state has a tradition longer than most modern European republics.
WHEN WILL YOU SEE THE CROWN?
Until now, the crown jewels have only been shown to the public on special occasions, usually once every few years, during important anniversaries of the Czech state. For example, in 1993 they were unveiled on the occasion of the 60th birthday celebrations of President Havel and later in 2003 on the occasion of his 70th birthday celebrations.
The queues to see them stretched across the entire courtyard of Prague Castle. And believe me, it’s worth waiting for. Having the opportunity to look at jewels that have survived centuries, wars and political upheavals is an experience that will connect you with the entire history of the Czech nation.
Fortunately, today, the jewels are exhibited every year at the end of September during Czech Statehood Day and the feast of St. Wenceslas in the Vladislav Hall of Prague Castle. And believe me, it’s worth waiting for them. Having the opportunity to look at jewels that have survived centuries, wars and political upheavals is an experience that will connect you with the entire history of the Czech nation.
A SHIMMER THAT TELLS
The Czech Crown Jewels are not just old jewelry. They are living symbols of history, politics, and spirituality. A reminder that our history is not just about battles and politics, but also about spiritual tradition, beauty, and human ingenuity. Whether you believe in their legendary power or simply consider them a treasure of incalculable value, one thing is certain. When you look at them, you feel a sense of respect. And maybe even a little bit of that sacred goosebumps.
So the next time you stand at Prague Castle and look at St. Vitus Cathedral and gaze at its spires, remember that somewhere inside, behind heavy doors and seven locks, rests a crown that tells the story of the Czech kings.
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