Czech coronation jewels return to Prague Castle for public exhibition

The Czech coronation jewels are returning to Prague Castle for an annual public exhibition. To access the treasures from the Crown Chamber, seven designated keyholders—including the President, Prime Minister, and the Archbishop of Prague—must convene at St. Vitus Cathedral to unlock the vault.

Following a period reserved for school groups, the exhibition will be open to the general public from Saturday, September 19, to Monday, September 28. The display, titled ‘Habsburgs 500’, will feature the St. Wenceslas Crown, the royal scepter and orb, and a coronation robe from 1653. The exhibition traces the history of the jewels from the accession of Ferdinand I of Habsburg in 1526 through the end of the 18th century.

The jewels were last used for a coronation on September 7, 1836, for Ferdinand III. The decision to hold these exhibitions annually was established by President Petr Pavel. Admission to the exhibition is free of charge, with viewing hours from 09:00 to 17:00.