Bohemian crown jewels: Difference between revisions

The '''Bohemian crown jewels''', also called the '''Czech crown jewels''' ({{lang-langx|cs|české korunovační klenoty}}), include the [[Crown of Saint Wenceslas]] (''Svatováclavská koruna''), the [[royal orb]] and [[sceptre]], the coronation vestments of the [[List of rulers of Bohemia|Kings of Bohemia]], the [[Coronation Cross of Bohemia|gold reliquary cross]], and [[Sword of Saint Wenceslas|St. Wenceslas' sword]]. They were originally held in [[Prague]] and [[Karlštejn Castle]], designed in the 14th century by [[Matthias of Arras]]. Since 1791 they have been stored in [[St. Vitus Cathedral]] at [[Prague Castle]]. Reproductions of the jewels are permanently exhibited in the historical exposition at the former royal palace in the castle. The crown was made for the coronation of [[Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles IV]] in 1347, making it the fourth oldest in Europe.<ref>Andrew Lawrence Roberts, [https://books.google.com/books?id=BWg8CdosOpMC&pg=PA83&dq=czech+crown+jewels&hlpg=cs&ei=QfyPTMe2DMqNjAeohfSADQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CFAQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=czech%20crown%20jewels&f=falsePA83 ''From Good King Wenceslas to the Good Soldier Švejk: a dictionary of Czech Popular Culture''], pg. 83, Central European University Press (2005), {{ISBN|963-7326-26-X}}</ref><ref>Brett Atkinson Lonely Planet Prague Encounter 2010 Page 50 "CURSE OF THE CZECH CROWN JEWELS In St Vitus Cathedral, on the southern side of .."</ref>

The crown has an unusual design, with vertical [[fleurs-de-lis]] standing at the front, back and sides. Made from 22-carat [[gold]] and a set of precious 19 [[sapphire]]s, 30 [[emerald]]s, 44 [[spinel]]s, 20 [[pearl]]s, 1 [[ruby]], 1 [[Tourmaline#Tourmaline species and varieties|rubellite]] and 1 [[Beryl#Aquamarine and maxixe|aquamarine]], it weighs 2,475&thinsp;g. At the top of the crown is the cross, which reportedly stores a thorn from [[Christ]]'s crown of thorns. Unlike in most later crowns, the cross does not stand on a [[monde]].{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

The Royal [[sceptre]] is made from 18-carat gold, 4 sapphires, 5 spinels and 62 pearls with an extra large spinel mounted on top of the sceptre; it weighs 1,013&thinsp;g. The [[Royal orb]] is also made from 18-carat gold, 8 sapphires, 6 spinels and 31 pearls. It weighs 780&thinsp;g and is decorated with wrought relief scenes from the [[Old Testament]] and the [[Book of Genesis]]. The Coronation robe was used from 1653 until 1836. It is made from precious silky red material called "zlatohlav" and is lined with [[Stoat|ermine]] (fur of the stoat). The robe is stored separately from jewelry in a specially air conditioned repository.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

For the [[coronation]] ceremonies, [[Sword of Saint Wenceslas|St. Wenceslas' sword]], a typical Gothic weapon, was used. The first mention of the sword reported in historical records is in 1333, but the [[blade]] dates back to the 10th century, while the [[hilt]] is from the 13th century and textiles are probably from the time of Charles IV. The iron blade length is 76&nbsp;cm, at the widest point is 45&nbsp;mm and has a ripped hole in a cross shape (45 × 20&nbsp;mm). The wooden handle is covered with yellow-brown fabric and [[velvet]] embroidered with the ornament of [[Laurus|laurel]] twigs with thick [[silver]] thread. After coronation ceremonies, the sword was used for the purpose of granting [[knighthoods]].{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

The oldest leather case for the crown was made for Charles IV in 1347. On top are inscribed four symbols: the Imperial eagle, Bohemian lion, the coat of arms of [[Arnošt of Pardubice]] and emblem of the [[Archbishopric of Prague]].{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

The door to crown jewels chamber, and likewise the iron safe, is hardly accessible and has seven locks. There are seven holders of the keys: the [[President of the Czech Republic|President of the Republic]], the [[ListSpeaker of Primethe MinistersChamber of theDeputies (Czech Republic)|PrimeSpeaker Minister]],of the PragueChamber Archbishopof Deputies]], the Chairman[[President of the HouseSenate of Deputies, the ChairmanCzech Republic|President of the Senate]], the Dean[[Prime Minister of the MetropolitanCzech ChapterRepublic|Prime ofMinister]], St.the Vitus[[Mayor Cathedralof andPrague]], the [[ListArchbishop of mayorsPrague]], and the Dean of Praguethe [[Cathedral chapter|MayorMetropolitan Chapter]] of Prague[[St. Vitus Cathedral]] in Prague, who must all convene to facilitate opening the impenetrable door and coffer.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

The Jewels were brought back to Prague on the occasion of the coronation of Bohemian king [[Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor|Leopold II]] in 1791. At that time, the current tradition of seven keys was established, though the holders of the keys in the course of time were changed according to political and administrative structures. The jewels were kept in Vienna due to the threat from the [[Prussian Army]],<ref>{{cite book|title=The Coasts of Bohemia: A Czech History|url=https://archive.org/details/coastsofbohemiac00saye|url-access=registration|year=1998|last=Sayer|first=Derek|page=[https://archive.org/details/coastsofbohemiac00saye/page/179 179]|publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=0-691-05052-X}}</ref> but were later returned to Prague, arriving in the city on 28 August 1867.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rozhlas.cz/radio_cesko/vyroci/_zprava/374737|title=28. 8. 1867: Převoz českých korunovačních klenotů|language=Czech|trans-title=28.8.1867: The transport of the Czech Crown Jewels|publisher=[[Czech Radio]]|date=28 August 2007|accessdate=5 February 2014}}</ref>

According to the ancient tradition and regulations laid down by Charles the FourthIV in the 14th century, the Jewels are exhibited only to mark special occasions. Exhibitions can take place only at the Prague Castle. In the 20th century there were nine such moments in history. The [[President of the Czech Republic|President of the Republic]] has the exclusive right to decide on the display of the crown jewels.

|10001,000 years since the death of St. Wenceslas

|25 – 3025–30 October 1945

|1 – 61–6 July 1955

|2 – 252–25 May 1975

|3 – 133–13 August 2003

|19 – 2919–29 April 2008

|10 – 1910–19 May 2013

|15 – 2915–29 May 2016

|700th anniversary of Charles IV’sIV's birth

|2 June1297June 1297<br />

|24 February 15261527<br />

24 February 15261527

*[[Eleonora Gonzaga (1630–16861598–1655)|Eleonora Gonzaga]]

*[[Eleonora Gonzaga (1598–16551630–1686)|Eleonora Gonzaga]]

{{CommonscatCommons category-inline|Crown jewels of Bohemia}}

[[Category:National Culturalcultural Monumentsmonuments of the Czech Republic]]