If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to dive deep into the glittering, mysterious world of royal crowns, ancient swords, and ceremonial robes, the story of Hungary’s Holy Crown and Coronation Regalia will not disappoint. These extraordinary artifacts have witnessed the birth of Hungarian kings, endured wars, been smuggled across borders, and now sit as icons of Hungarian heritage. Let’s take a look at what each item of this legendary collection reveals about Hungary’s history and the enduring charm of these regal artifacts.

The Holy Crown: the key to the Hungarian throne

The Holy Crown of Hungary, also known as the Crown of Saint Stephen, is the nation’s most sacred symbol of sovereignty. It is the oldest European royal crown still intact, used over a thousand years to crown 55 Hungarian kings. It’s not just a pretty headpiece; it is believed to hold unique spiritual power and is central to Hungary’s kingship. For a king to rule legitimately in medieval Hungary, he had to be crowned with this very crown in Székesfehérvár by the Archbishop of Esztergom. Without it, no claim to the throne was recognized. Here are some facts about the crown:

• The Holy Crown wasn’t worn daily – it served as an anointing crown, it was only placed on the monarch’s head for the purpose of consecration. Hungarian kings did not wear it during daily affairs or in private settings.
• It consists of two parts: a lower band called the Greek Crown (Corona Graeca) and an upper cross structure known as the Latin Crown (Corona Latina), believed to have been combined in the 12th century.
• Its cross is famously tilted – a quirk likely caused by an accident in the 17th century during a rushed attempt to unlock its case.
• The crown symbolizes Hungarian statehood and is considered almost a living entity, representing the unity of the Hungarian people.

The crown is adorned with over 400 pearls and gemstones of various sizes, showcasing the craftsmanship and preferences of its era. These jewels, with their shapes and appearances, reflect the crown’s age and the medieval approach to ornamentation. During that time, gemstone size was prioritized over color purity, and until the 1300s, stones were not faceted but left rounded. This tradition is evident in the crown, where all gemstones, except for one replacement, are simply smoothed. Historically, these stones were more than decorative elements; they were believed to carry magical powers and symbolize various meanings.

The Latin Crown

The Latin crown is a cross-shaped, banded structure forming a vaulted design, named after the Latin inscriptions found on its enamel plates. As part of the crown, it served the purpose of supporting the cross mounted on its vault. Its most significant adornments are the cloisonné enamel plates, which depict Christ enthroned at the center (where the bands intersect), and rectangular plates on the bands featuring two apostles each. The upper row portrays full-length images of John, Paul, James and Peter, while the lower row shows Bartholomew, Philip, Thomas and Andrew. The enamel images on the crossbands are framed by alternating patterns of 72 small pearls and 64 red almandine garnets, shaped like droplets.

The Greek Crown

The Corona Graeca was likely the crown of Synadene, the wife of King Géza I, who came from Byzantium. The band features alternating cloisonné enamel images and gemstones. Above the front of the crown, at the top of the band, is an image of Christ Pantocrator, seated on a throne. Archangels Michael and Gabriel, leaders of the heavenly armies, are shown alongside Saints George and Demetrios, the most venerated military saints of Eastern Christianity on rectangular enamel plates along the band. The physician saints, Cosmas and Damian, symbolize selfless celestial knowledge.

On the back of the crown, historical figures are represented: Byzantine Emperor Michael Doukas, Co-Emperor Constantine, and Hungarian King Géza I. The enamel images on the Greek Crown are masterpieces from the Byzantine imperial goldsmith workshop, they were all created in the same workshop, emphasizing its cohesive artistic style.

The tips of the diadem feature seven alternating violet-red and bluish gemstones (amethysts and sapphires). Additionally, one pearl is set on each side and the back. Along the crown’s band edges, rows of smaller pearls are strung on gold wire. Originally, there were 312 pearls, though some are now missing. In the undecorated sections at the back, small pins hold nine pearls on each side.

The crown’s band showcases eight of its largest gemstones, placed between the images of the apostles in claw settings. Blue sapphires dominate this arrangement, with one featured prominently at the front and another in the center on each side. A fourth sapphire at the back, set in 1608 to replace a damaged stone, is the only faceted gemstone on the crown. On the front sides, there is one reddish-brown almandine on each side, while the green stones at the rear are carved from glass.

The crown also features nine pendants, each designed with three stones arranged in a clover shape. Most are red almandines, but the pendants also include five violet amethysts and one striking bluish-green turquoise.

Today, this extraordinary crown is displayed in the Hungarian Parliament, where it is preserved alongside other coronation regalia as a symbol of the nation’s unity and independence.

The Scepter: a glimmering mace with Egyptian origins

The scepter is one of the most striking pieces in the regalia. Unlike the straightforward, elegant designs we might expect from royal scepters, Hungary’s is fashioned with a head of pure quartz crystal and resembles a mace, giving it a powerful, no-nonsense vibe. The crystal, which dates back to 10th-century Egypt, is engraved with lions—a symbol of royalty—believed to ward off evil.

But that’s not all. The handle is made of hazelwood, a type of wood that was thought to bring luck and protection. This scepter is not only decorative but also loaded with symbolism, having been an essential part of Hungarian coronations for centuries.

The scepter’s long journey from Egypt to Hungary only adds to its mystery. Each time it was carried in a coronation procession, the scepter reminded the audience of Hungary’s ancient connections and strength.

The Orb: the “Golden Apple” of Hungary

In the world of coronation symbols, the orb is a staple, representing a ruler’s power over the Earth. Hungary’s orb, known as the “Országalma” (or Golden Apple), dates back to the days of King Stephen, who is depicted holding it in one of his earliest images. The orb features the Anjou dynasty’s lilies and the red-and-silver stripes of the Árpád dynasty, giving it a distinct Hungarian flair.

But there’s more to this “apple” than meets the eye. Medieval Christians associated apples with sin, thanks to the story of Adam and Eve, so it’s no surprise that the church found the “Golden Apple” an unusual coronation symbol. Yet, Hungarian folklore holds that apples represent abundance, fertility, and heroism – qualities perfectly suited for a royal emblem.

The Mantle: a medieval masterpiece of embroidery

The coronation mantle, currently exhibited at the Hungarian National Museum, is one of the most striking pieces in Hungary’s regalia. Originally created as a chasuble (a priest’s ceremonial garment) by King Stephen and Queen Gisela in the early 11th century, it was later transformed into the coronation mantle to symbolize divine favor and royal authority. Its intricate embroidery is a visual narrative of Christian theology, featuring a rich tapestry of saints, angels, apostles, and symbolic scenes of heaven and earth.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the mantle is that it holds the only known authentic image of Saint Stephen himself. In this depiction, Stephen is shown with a lance and orb, alongside Queen Gisela, who holds a model of the basilica in Székesfehérvár, a church they founded. The mantle’s detailed scenes not only highlight Hungary’s Christian foundations but also showcase medieval craftsmanship at its finest.

Although the rest of the Coronation Regalia, including the Holy Crown, is preserved in the Parliament Building, the mantle’s placement in the National Museum allows visitors to appreciate its intricate beauty and artistry up close. As both a religious and royal garment, it embodies the spirit of Hungary’s early Christian heritage and the legacy of Saint Stephen.

The Sword: defender of the realm

What would a coronation be without a grand, majestic sword? Hungary’s coronation sword, used for ceremonial purposes since at least the time of Saint Stephen, symbolizes the king’s duty to defend the nation. Part of the coronation ceremony involved the new king riding to the top of a ceremonial mound and swinging the sword toward each cardinal direction, symbolizing his pledge to defend Hungary against any threat.

Interestingly, the sword we see today is not the original but a 16th-century Venetian replacement. It is decorated in the Renaissance style with etchings of plants and human figures. The original, possibly an ornate saber given to the German treasury, is steeped in lore, with tales linking it to Attila the Hun’s fabled weapon. Although the modern sword is newer, it embodies the same spirit: a reminder that Hungary’s king is not only a ruler but also a warrior ready to defend the kingdom.

From exile to home: the crown’s grand return

The crown’s fate was often eventful during the “stormy centuries”. Over its long history, the Holy Crown has left Hungary several times – eleven, to be exact! For over 300 years, it was kept in the treasury of the church in Székesfehérvár. King Charles Robert transferred it to Visegrád after securing it with difficulty, where it remained, with interruptions, until 1526. From the mid-16th century, the Habsburgs mostly guarded it until it returned to Hungarian soil in 1848.

In the summer of 1849, as the revolution collapsed, efforts were made to smuggle the crown out, and it was buried in a chest. A sign was left on a nearby tree, and a map of the hiding place was drawn. Following the suppression of the revolution, Austrian police formed a committee to search for the Holy Crown, which they discovered in 1853. It was returned to Buda and kept in the castle until the final days of World War II.

Near the end of World War II in October 1944, the crown was taken from Budapest to Pannonhalma under the protection of the International Red Cross, then moved to Kőszeg, and finally placed in an air-raid shelter built into a mountainside in Velem. At the end of March 1945, the Holy Crown crossed Hungary’s border. The crown guards were taken prisoner by the U.S. Army, which transported the crown – after several detours – to Augsburg, then to a bank vault in Frankfurt, and eventually to the United States, where it was stored at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

With the easing of Cold War tensions, the Holy Crown and other coronation regalia were finally returned to Hungary in 1978. This was no simple handover. The Americans returned it not to Hungary’s leader at the time, János Kádár, but to the Speaker of Parliament as a gesture of respect for its importance to the Hungarian people, rather than the government. Following restoration, they were displayed at the Hungarian National Museum for two decades.

Since 2000 the crown has been kept at the Hungarian Parliament in Budapest, where visitors can view it alongside the regalia in the stunning Dome Hall. The Holy Crown and Coronation Regalia are not just beautiful artifacts – they’re symbols that tell Hungary’s story. Today, they represent Hungary’s unity, independence, and a history that has endured centuries of change, conflict, and cultural growth. So, next time you visit Budapest, stop by the Parliament to see these national treasures up close. They’re more than a collection of jewels and symbols – they’re the heart of Hungary’s past and a pledge to its future.

The House of Parliament:

• Address: 1055 Budapest, Kossuth Lajos square 1-3.
• Open every day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Group visits start from the Visitor Centre.
• Accessibility: trams 2, 2B, 23; metro line M2; bus 15
• Official website: parlament.hu
• Official website for ticket sales: jegymester.hu

Hungarian National Museum:

• Address: 1088 Budapest, Múzeum krt. 14-16.
• Open from 10:00 to 18:00, Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Monday.
• Official website: mnm.hu
• Official website for ticket sales: jegy.mnm.hu
• Accessibility:
  • Metro line M3 (blue) and M4 (green): Kálvin tér stop
  • Metro line M2 (red): Astoria stop
  • Trams 47, 49, and 48: Kálvin tér stop
  • Buses 5, 7, 8, 107, 110, 112, 133, 178, 233, and 239: Astoria stop
  • Buses 9, 15, and 115: Kálvin tér stop
  • Trolley bus 83: Kálvin tér stop

(Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)