PHOTOS: The Royal Crowns of Hungary even Hungarians do not know about

When the term ‘crown’ comes up in Hungary, most people immediately think of the Holy Crown of Hungary. However, the country is also home to several other royal headpieces that are far less known to the public.

The historical and artistic background of these crowns is a complex and often debated topic. In this article, we focus solely on their visible and widely acknowledged aspects.

The Holy Crown

The Holy Crown symbolises the Hungarian state and its legal continuity. Until World War II, it was considered the sole legitimate bearer of supreme authority in Hungary, a legal entity, the source of all Hungarian law, and the earthly mediator of divine power, as well as the foundation of Hungary’s historical constitution and Saint Stephen’s statehood.

The Holy Crown is one of Europe’s oldest coronation crowns still in existence. It is traditionally associated with Saint Stephen and is believed to have been sent to Hungary by Pope Sylvester II.

Made of gold, the crown is adorned with enamel images, pearls, and gemstones. The upper part consists of four gold bands, each 51 mm wide, crafted from darker, purer gold. The lower part is a circlet made of gold with higher silver content, giving it a sturdier and lighter appearance.

Excluding the tilted Latin cross at its top, the crown stands 127 mm tall. Its lower section has a maximum diameter of 216 mm, a minimum diameter of 204 mm, and a circumference of 720 mm. It also features hanging gold chains on both sides, each ending with a clover-shaped setting containing semi-precious stones.

The Holy Crown consists of two distinct elements: the “Greek Crown” (Corona Graeca) forming the base and the “Latin Crown” (Corona Latina) comprising the upper structure. Both sections feature depictions of Christ Pantocrator as the ruler of the universe. The lower crown includes images of two archangels, two warrior saints, two physician saints, and three additional figures that were later added. The bands feature depictions of two apostles each.

Hungary’s last king, Charles IV, was crowned with the Holy Crown on December 30, 1916, at Matthias Church in Budapest.

At the end of World War II, the Hungarian government transported the crown westward to prevent it from falling into Soviet hands. Following Hungary’s surrender, it was taken to Fort Knox in the United States for safekeeping. It remained there until 5 January 1978, when President Jimmy Carter oversaw its return to Hungary as a sign of improving U.S.-Soviet relations.

Today, the Holy Crown and the other coronation regalia are housed in the Hungarian Parliament.

Additional Royal Crowns: The Monomachos Crown

One of the most valuable pieces in the Hungarian National Museum is the Monomachos Crown, discovered in 1860 in Nyitraivánka. This openwork headpiece, likely from the 11th century, consists of gold plaques with Byzantine Greek inscriptions. It features seven elongated gold plates with semicircular tops, two medallions depicting apostles, and a square gemstone setting.

The plaques depict Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos (1042–1055), his wife Zoe, and her sister, Empress Theodora, alongside dancing female figures and allegorical representations of virtues. The circumstances of how this crown ended up in Hungary remain unknown.

The Margaret Island Crown

This gold-plated silver funeral crown, adorned with gemstones and pearls, was discovered in 1838 in a tomb at the Dominican nunnery on Margaret Island. The tomb likely belonged to a member of the Árpád dynasty. Saint Margaret, the daughter of King Béla IV, lived in the monastery from 1252 until her death in 1270, giving the island its present name.

The middle of each band features six-petaled floral designs with lilies rising above. The crown consists of eight lily-adorned sections connected by hinges fastened with three-leaf grapevine motifs. It is most commonly associated with King Stephen V (1270–1272). Today, the crown is housed in the Hungarian National Gallery.

Funeral Crowns Found in Székesfehérvár

A royal burial site in Székesfehérvár yielded a remarkable discovery in December 1848. Alongside the remains of a king and his wife, researchers found royal insignia and personal items. Despite careful excavation, uncertainties persist regarding earlier disturbances to the gravesite, leading to ongoing debates about the identity of the burial and its artifacts. Currently, most scholars attribute the discovery to King Béla III and his wife, Queen Agnes of Antioch.

An intriguing find within the grave was a simple burial crown adorned with crosses, resembling the design seen on a royal bust from Kalocsa. Scholars believe that the Székesfehérvár crown was not solely a funeral object but a replica of a household crown commonly used in the early Árpád era. These relics are part of the Hungarian National Museum’s collection.

The Crown of István Bocskai

István Bocskai remains a divisive historical figure. Some view his efforts as a successful war of independence, while others see him as little more than a Turkish vassal who plundered Hungarian villages much like the Ottomans did. His crown was a gift from the Ottoman Sultan, personally placed on his head by the Grand Vizier in a symbolic ceremony on 11 November 1605, in Rákos Field near Pest.

Following Bocskai’s death, the crown was transferred to Vienna in 1610, where it remains to this day. Made of gold, it is encrusted with gemstones and pearls. The original version is part of Vienna’s Schatzkammer collection, while a replica is displayed at the Bocskai Museum in Hajdúszoboszló.

To read or share this article in Hungarian, click here: Helló Magyar

Read also:

•  Centuries-old debate on the origins of the Huns may finally be settled – read more HERE
• New flight may carry passengers from Budapest to exotic African country, home of safaris