Bohemian Crown Jewels
On the occasion of the national holiday of St. Wenceslas, the President of the Republic, Petr Pavel, has decided to publicly display the Bohemian Crown Jewels. This year's exhibition, titled The Mysterious Power of Gemstones, will highlight the precious stones adorning the St. Wenceslas crown – and, thanks to holographic animation, will for the first time reveal the original colouring of the crown with which Charles IV was crowned in 1347. The 13 green emeralds and 60 pearls that dominated the crown during his coronation were replaced with blue sapphires by Charles IV at the end of his life. Thanks to the holographic animation, visitors will be able to see the crown for the first time, as it originally appeared. They will also have the opportunity to appreciate each individual gemstone in detail, including their natural forms.
The Royal Crown, Orb, and Sceptre will be on display in the Vladislav Hall of Prague Castle as part of the St. Wenceslas anniversary celebrations from Tuesday, 17 September, to Monday, 30 September. The only exception is 19 September, when the exhibition will be open only to registered school groups and will be closed to the public. The other day reserved for school groups is 26 September, when the exhibition will only be open to the public from 1 p.m.
The Bohemian Crown Jewels will be displayed in the Vladislav Hall of the Old Royal Palace, together with a special display case featuring precious stones. The first visitors will see them on Tuesday, 17 September. A day earlier, in the presence of seven key holders, they will be ceremoniously collected from the Crown Chamber in the Cathedral of St. Vitus, Wenceslas, and Adalbert and transferred to the Vladislav Hall and inspected by restorers.
Practical information
Dates: 17–30 September 2024, daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Venue: Vladislav Hall in the Old Royal Palace
Free admission
When Not to Visit:
Thursday, 19 September: The exhibition is reserved for pre-registered school groups all day
and closed to the public.(register here)
Thursday, 26 September: The exhibition is reserved for pre-registered school groups from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (register here) It will be open to the public from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Directions to the exhibition: Entry is from Hradčany Square through the gate to the Southern Gardens, up the Bull staircase to the Third Courtyard, and into the Old Royal Palace.
- Toilets and the possibility to buy small snacks are available while you wait in line.
- All visitors must undergo a security check before entering the Vladislav Hall, including passing through a metal detector and having handbags and similar items inspected on an X-ray conveyor belt.
- A cloakroom is available.
- Due to operational reasons, prams are not permitted inside the exhibition; they cannot be admitted into the Vladislav Hall, and the waiting area is also not wheelchair accessible.
- Visitors in wheelchairs (with a valid ZTP or ZTP/P card, accompanied by one person) can access the exhibition directly from the Third Courtyard. School groups must make prior reservations.
- It is necessary to comply with any instructions from security personnel on site and to refrain from using flash photography.
- The exhibition adheres to the visitor regulations of the Prague Castle area, prohibiting firearms, knives, sharp objects, explosive substances or pyrotechnic objects, and any other dangerous items that could be used as a weapon. It is advisable to visit with minimal belongings.
There is a gift shop at the end of the sightseeing route.
Date and place
17–30 September 2024, daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Vladislav Hall
Old Royal Palace
Thursday, 19 September: The exhibition is reserved for pre-registered school groups all day
and closed to the public.
Thursday, 26 September: The exhibition is reserved for pre-registered school groups from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will be open to the public from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Entrance-fee
Free admission
