A replica of the Hungarian coronation crown will be exhibited at Trenčín Castle in the summer. (source: TASR)
Four hundred years after the Hungarian coronation crown was once kept safe in Trenčín for three months – a story unknown to people in Slovakia at large - local jewellers are working on its replica to mark the anniversary.
Trenčín Castle said that in summer it would exhibit the gilded replica, placing it next to a 17th century painting that depicts the crown, the My Trenčín website wrote.Trenčín Castle said that in summer it would exhibit the gilded replica, placing it next to a 17th century painting that depicts the crown, the My Trenčín website wrote.
The Crown of St. Stephen, part of the coat of arms of today’s Hungary, has been stolen, hidden and lost many times throughout history. In 1978, the USA returned the crown to the Hungarian people after almost four decades.
At present, it can be found in the Hungarian parliament building in Budapest.
Dotted with precious stones
Slovak jewellers have invested hundreds of hours into the production of the replica.
They are mostly using real gemstones; almandine garnet in the shape of a teardrop and a pearl is largely represented. “We are going to use 379 pearls and 100 precious stones,” said jeweller Martin Mikuš. “Stones that are not natural will be alternated by special glass.” Amethysts, malachite and sapphires will also be used to make the replica look like the original.
Mikuš added that the replica should also be on display, in addition to Trenčín Castle, in an old cellar underneath a local jewellery store. The actual crown was deposited in a similar space centuries ago, written records claim.
Locked up in a local house
The Hungarian crown made a stop in Trenčín during a journey from Košice to Bratislava after the signing of the Peace of Mikulov in January 1622. It ended the war between Gabriel Bethlen, a Protestant prince, and Ferdinand II, a Catholic emperor.
Bethlen eventually agreed to renounce any claims to the Hungarian throne and return the Crown of St. Stephen.
The crown was brought to Trenčín on April 5, 1622. “We even know the exact hour – five o’clock in the afternoon,” said Trenčín Museum Deputy Director Tomáš Michalík.
It was temporarily locked away in one of the local houses – a town hall according to some sources - on today’s Mierovo Square. The crown was to be protected by three bars, three doors and several locks. This was not enough and it was moved to the neighbouring house owned by Mr. Šuškovič. The house had rough walls and a separate space for the crown guardian.
Too big for men
Though the crown is the most important crown jewel, there are other insignia: the mantle, the sceptre, and the orb. The Hungarian crown consists of three parts - a Greek crown, a Roman crown and a cross at the top.
“There are several theories as to why the top cross is bent, but it is probably a consequence of violent handling,” Michalík said.
The crown has a slightly elliptical shape and is larger than the average human head. It is assumed that it consists of two separate crowns, which were later merged together.
“The basic one that is said to have been a woman’s is paradoxically so large that it is too large for most men’s heads,” Mikuš explained.
His colleague came up with the theory that the reason may be women’s hairstyles, which were also very large at that time.
