Coronation Cross of Bohemia

Back side of the Coronation Cross (picture taken in 1903)

The Coronation Cross of Bohemia or the Gold Reliquary Cross is the most precious object of the Treasury of the St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague.[1] It is usually exhibited together with the Czech (Bohemian) Coronation Jewels and sometimes it is considered to be part of them.[2] It is a gold reliquary in shape of a cross, which was created to contain the most valuable relics of the Czech Kingdom. The cross was made by order of Charles IV. probably around 1354.[2] The Reliquary Cross was not originally part of the St. Vitus Treasury, but belonged to the Treasury of Karlštejn Castle. First since 1645 it has been permanently stored in Prague and became part of the St. Vitus Treasury. The cross was used used during the coronations of Bohemian kings in the St. Vitus Cathedral, although it was not originally made for this purpose.[3]

Description

The ingeniously designed cross, made of gold plates, is a work of court goldsmiths. The entire front part is covered with a crystal plate that allows one to see the relics of the Crucifixion of Christ (the wood from the Holy Cross, thorns and a part of the sponge, rope and spike). The sides of the cross are lined with sapphires that are set in such a way so that light could penetrate them, thus creating a halo. The back side of the cross is adorned with cameos with beautiful reliefs that date from the Antiquities all the way to the 12th century and cover small compartments for other precious relics. In the middle of the back side of the cross, there is a little crystal window with another part of the wood from Christ’s cross.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "V kapli Sv. Kříže září Svatovítský poklad". www.hrad.cz. Prague Castle. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 "Coronation cross". www.korunovacni-klenoty.cz. České korunovační klenoty. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  3. ↑ Cibulka, Josef (1969). Korunovační klenoty Království českého. Praha: Odeon. pp. 87–88.
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