The crown jewels at Prague Castle are open to the public. | Video: Diary/Radek Cihla
The last time the ceremonial insignia could be seen a year ago, President Pavel decided that the jewelry exhibition would be held every year on the occasion of the national holiday of St. Wenceslas, which falls on September 28. According to Veronika Wolf, cultural and program director of the president’s office, this change will allow more people to see the crown jewels.
The exhibition is being held this year after an unusually short time, earlier crown jewels they exhibited rather rarely, for example during the ten years of President Miloš Zeman they were on display a total of four times. The exhibition was last held in January last year on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Czech Republic.
The crown jewels at Prague Castle are open to the public. | Video: Diary/Radek Cihla
“By putting the Crown Jewels on display every year, it will allow far more people to see the exhibition. It will no longer be the highly exclusive affair where the jewels were displayed once in a period of time for only a few days, there were long queues and the jewels were not accessible to everyone,” said Wolf. She added that the capacity of people in the exhibition hall is coordinated by the police.
Around eight o’clock in the morning, the queue at the entrance to the southern gardens numbered a few dozen people, and more were gradually arriving. The man, who introduced himself as Pavel from Prague, had been waiting at Prague Castle since 3:15, but at the wrong entrance.
“They told me at five that the entrance is here this year,” he said at the entrance to the South Gardens of Prague Castle, where the official entrance is now. “I’m here for the tenth time, that’s why I was surprised,” he added. He visited the jewelry exhibition for the first time in 1978.
The crown jewels at Prague Castle are open to the public. | Video: Diary/Radek Cihla
In addition to police officers, soldiers also take care of security at the site and castle guard Visitors must also go through security before entering the jewelry hall.
This year’s exhibition is subtitled The Mysterious Power of Stones, and thanks to holographic animation, visitors will see what stones were on the crown in 1347 during the coronation of Charles IV. Originally, there were 13 green emeralds and 60 pearls on the Crown of St. Wenceslas, Charles IV left them at the end of his life. removed and had the crown set with blue sapphires. In the animation, visitors will see the original appearance of the crown.
The crown jewels at Prague Castle are open to the public. | Video: Diary/Radek Cihla
Entry to the exhibition is from Hradčany Square through the gate to the Southern Gardens, through the Býčí staircase to III. courtyard and to the Old Royal Palace. The exhibition will be open daily from 09:00 to 17:00, except Thursday 19 September, when only registered school groups will be admitted, and Thursday 26 September, when the exhibition will not open to the public until 13:00.
The Czech crown jewels served as badges of the rule and power of the Czech kings.
Set includes Wenceslas crown, royal scepter, royal apple, leather cases for them, crown cushion and coronation cloak with accessories. The crown was made in 1346 by Charles IV. for his coronation as Czech king the following year.
The crown jewels at Prague Castle are open to the public. | Video: Diary/Radek Cihla
What are the historical significance and features of the Crown Jewels of St. Wenceslas displayed at Prague Castle?
Table of Contents
The Crown Jewels of Prague Castle: A Treasure Trove of History and Grandeur
Prague Castle, a majestic fortress that has stood the test of time, is home to one of the world’s most magnificent treasures – the Crown Jewels of St. Wenceslas. For centuries, these precious artifacts have been shrouded in mystery, accessible to only a select few. However, in a bid to make this national treasure more accessible to the public, the Czech President, Pavel, has decided to put the Crown Jewels on display every year on the occasion of the national holiday of St. Wenceslas, which falls on September 28.
A Rare Opportunity to Witness History
In the past, the Crown Jewels were exhibited rather rarely, with only a handful of displays during the ten-year tenure of President Miloš Zeman. The last exhibition was held in January last year to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Czech Republic. This year’s exhibition, subtitled ”The Mysterious Power of Stones,” offers a unique opportunity for visitors to behold the stunning beauty of the Crown Jewels up close.
A New Era of Accessibility
Veronika Wolf, Cultural and Program Director of the President’s Office, believes that the annual exhibition will allow more people to experience the grandeur of the Crown Jewels. “By putting the Crown Jewels on display every year, it will allow far more people to see the exhibition. It will no longer be the highly exclusive affair where the jewels were displayed once in a period of time for only a few days, there were long queues and the jewels were not accessible to everyone,” she explained.
Security Measures in Place
To ensure a smooth and secure experience for visitors, the police have coordinated the capacity of people in the exhibition hall. In addition to police officers, soldiers and the castle guard are also on hand to maintain security at the site. Visitors must undergo security checks before entering the jewelry hall, ensuring that the Crown Jewels remain safe and protected.
A Glimpse into the Past
This year’s exhibition takes visitors on a journey through time, revealing the original appearance of the Crown of St. Wenceslas as it was in 1347 during the coronation of Charles IV. Using holographic animation, the exhibition showcases the stunning 13 green emeralds and 60 pearls that adorned the crown, later replaced by blue sapphires by Charles IV.
Visiting the Crown Jewels Exhibition
Entry to the exhibition is from Hradčany Square through the gate to the Southern Gardens, via the Býčí staircase to the III. courtyard, and finally to the Old Royal Palace. The exhibition is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00, except Thursdays. Visitors can plan their visit in advance to avoid long queues and make the most of this rare opportunity to witness history.
Conclusion
The Crown Jewels of Prague Castle are a treasure trove of history, grandeur, and beauty. By opening the exhibition to the public every year, the Czech President has given the world a chance to experience the magic of these precious artifacts. Whether you’re a history buff, a lover of fine jewelry, or simply a curious traveler, the Crown Jewels exhibition is an experience you won’t want to miss.
Optimized Keywords:
Crown Jewels of St. Wenceslas
Prague Castle
Czech Republic
National Holiday of St. Wenceslas
President Pavel
Veronika Wolf
Hradčany Square
Old Royal Palace
Býčí Staircase
* Southern Gardens
What are the Crown Jewels of Prague Castle?
The Magical Crown Jewels of Prague Castle Now Open to the Public
[Header Image: The stunning Crown Jewels at Prague Castle]
Prague Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most iconic landmarks in the Czech Republic, has opened its doors to the public to showcase the breathtaking Crown Jewels, a treasure trove of national significance. This year, President Pavel has decided to make the exhibition an annual event, to be held on the occasion of St. Wenceslas’ national holiday, which falls on September 28th.
A Rare Opportunity to Behold
For centuries, the Crown Jewels have been a symbol of the power and rule of the Czech kings. The collection includes the Wenceslas Crown, royal scepter, royal apple, leather cases for them, crown cushion, and coronation cloak with accessories. Until recently, the exhibition was held only occasionally, with the last display taking place just a year ago. Prior to that, the jewels were on display only four times during President Miloš Zeman’s ten-year tenure.
The Mysterious Power of Stones
This year’s exhibition is subtitled “The Mysterious Power of Stones,” and it takes visitors on a fascinating journey through the history of the Crown Jewels. With the help of holographic animation, visitors can see the original appearance of the Crown of St. Wenceslas as it was in 1347 during the coronation of Charles IV. The animation reveals that the crown was once adorned with 13 green emeralds and 60 pearls, which were later replaced with blue sapphires by Charles IV.
A New Era of Accessibility
By putting the Crown Jewels on display every year, the organizers aim to make the exhibition more accessible to the general public. According to Veronika Wolf, cultural and program director of the president’s office, this change will allow far more people to see the exhibition, making it less exclusive and more inclusive.
Security Measures
To ensure the safety of the visitors and the precious jewels, the exhibition is heavily guarded by police officers, soldiers, and the castle guard. Visitors are required to go through security checks before entering the jewelry hall.
Getting There
To visit the Crown Jewels exhibition, visitors can enter through Hradčany Square, passing through the gate to the Southern Gardens, then the Býčí staircase, and finally entering the Old Royal Palace. The exhibition is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, except for Thursday, September 19th, when only registered school groups will be admitted, and Thursday, September 26th, when the exhibition will open to the public at 1:00 pm.
A Must-Visit Attraction
The Crown Jewels of Prague Castle are an absolute must-visit attraction for anyone traveling to the Czech Republic. This extraordinary exhibition offers a glimpse into the rich history and cultural heritage of the country, making it an unforgettable experience.
SEO Keywords: Prague Castle, Crown Jewels, St. Wenceslas, President Pavel, Czech Republic, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hradčany Square, Southern Gardens, Old Royal Palace, Castle Guard.
