Czech Coronation Jewels: Treasure in the Darkness

This year's exhibition of the coronation jewels carries the subtitle Treasure in the Darkness.

As the title suggests, it will introduce visitors to the fate of the royal insignia during World War II. Even before the war, President Beneš had them transported to Slovakia for security reasons and stored in the vault of the branch of the National Bank of Czechoslovakia, but due to subsequent developments in both the Czech Republic and Slovakia, it was quickly decided in the following days to transport them back to Prague. By the end of the war, part of the jewels was secretly walled up in the Romanesque underground of the Old Royal Palace at Prague Castle. They remained in the cellar until their retrieval in October 1945. The exhibition will recount the dramatic story of the jewels through materials from the collections and archives of the KPR Archive, the SPH collections, and the CTK Photo Archive. In addition to written sources, there will be period photographs and tangible items, including the box that was used for their transport. The jewels will be ceremoniously retrieved from the Crown Chamber in St. Vitus Cathedral on Monday, September 15, 2025. For the following two days, school classes will be able to view them. The exhibition will be open to the public from Thursday, September 18, to Monday, September 29, with free admission again. On September 16 and 17, the exhibition is reserved exclusively for pre-registered school groups; registration is available here. From September 18 to 29, the exhibition will be accessible to the public. Practical information on how to get to the exhibition: Entrance is from Hradčanské Square through the gate to the South Gardens and via the Bull Staircase to the Third Courtyard and into the Old Royal Palace. During the wait in line, restrooms and the option to purchase light refreshments are available. Visitors are advised that before entering the Vladislav Hall, everyone must undergo a security check, i.e., passing through a security frame and having bags checked on an x-ray conveyor. It is recommended to come to the exhibition "lightly." A cloakroom is available. For operational and security reasons, entry to the exhibition is not permitted for strollers; they cannot be allowed into the Vladislav Hall, and the waiting area is not wheelchair accessible. Therefore, visits with strollers are strongly discouraged. Visitors in wheelchairs (upon presenting a valid ZTP or ZTP/P card, with one accompanying person) can access the exhibition directly from the Third Courtyard. Similarly, school groups can enter, but their visit is conditional on prior reservation. Compliance with any instructions from the present security personnel on site and no flash photography is required. Visitors to the exhibition are subject to the visitor rules of the PH area, meaning no firearms, stabbing, cutting weapons, explosives, or pyrotechnic items, nor any other dangerous objects that could be used as weapons are allowed. At the end of the tour route, there is a souvenir shop.