Jindřichův Hradec Castle Opens Monarchs and Coronation Jewels Exhibition

From 1 August to 1 November, the historic Jindřichův Hradec Castle in the Czech Republic will host an exhibition titled “Veličenstvo před branami – České korunovační klenoty na dosah.” The showcase is part of the castle's museum tour and highlights the visits of Habsburg monarchs between the 16th and 18th centuries.

The main attraction is a fully reconstructed baroque imperial bedroom on the second floor of the Adam Building, built from surviving inventories. Visitors will see a monumental bed with a canopy, baroque furniture, original tapestries, everyday objects such as a washing set and nightstands, as well as loaned artifacts like the uniform of Archduke Franz Ferdinand d’Este, a cup from Empress Elizabeth Christine’s personal collection, and two imperial portraits that once adorned a coronation gate in 1723. Replicas of the Czech coronation jewels, crafted by goldsmith Jiří Urban and the Cepkovi duo, complement the display.

Spokesperson Markéta Slabová of the National Heritage Institute explained that the exhibition aims to revive the once‑vibrant role of Jindřichův Hradec as a key stop for emperors en route between Vienna and Prague. Castle castellan Jan Mikeš added anecdotes about past royal visits, including a feared apparition of the “White Lady” and Emperor Leopold I’s boat ride on the Vajgar pond.