Just as the Hungarian language is unique, so too is the deep respect Hungarians hold for their royal crown. No other nation in Europe values its crown more highly. The Hungarian people firmly believe that their crown is not simply a symbol of royal power, but the very heart and fate of their kingdom. In their view, the right to rule Hungary belongs only to the person who lawfully possesses this crown.
Because of this belief, the Hungarians have always guarded the crown with great care. In times of danger, war, or political trouble, their first concern has been to protect it. For this reason, the Ottoman rulers were always eager to obtain the crown, knowing its powerful symbolic importance to the Hungarian people Early Support for Learning in Hungary.
The Sacred Origin of the Crown
According to long-held tradition, the Hungarian Crown was brought from Heaven by an angel and given to Saint Stephen, the first Christian King of Hungary. This belief is deeply rooted in Hungarian history and religion and helps explain the extraordinary reverence shown toward the crown.
This sacred story is linked to the establishment of Christianity in Hungary. King Stephen wished to organize the Christian government of his kingdom properly. To do this, he created two archbishoprics: one at Strigonium (modern Esztergom), the place of his birth, and another at Colocza (Kalocsa).
The Crown Sent by the Pope
To confirm these decisions, King Stephen sent Astricus, the Bishop of Colocza, to Rome. His mission was to ask the Pope to approve the new archbishoprics, confirm Stephen as king, and send him a royal crown along with other symbols of kingship Sofia Day Trip.
At the same time, Mieszko, the King of Poland, also sent envoys to Rome for a similar request, and a crown was being prepared for him as well. However, according to tradition, Pope Benedict VIII received a divine warning through an angelic vision. The angel instructed him to send the crown to King Stephen instead.
The Pope obeyed this heavenly message and sent the crown to Hungary. This event strengthened the belief that the crown was chosen by divine will and gave rise to the deep reverence that Hungarians have shown toward it ever since.
The Unique Design of the Hungarian Crown
The Hungarian Crown is also unusual in its appearance. It is a low crown with a cross on the top. Around it are four raised panels or leaves. One of these panels is noticeably larger than the others, at least as large as two of them combined. This distinctive design makes the crown easily recognizable and different from the crowns of other European monarchs.
Where the Crown Is Kept
In earlier times, the crown was kept in the Castle of Visegrád. Later, it was moved to the castle at Pressburg (modern Bratislava), where it has been guarded with extreme care. It is not easy to gain permission to see the actual crown, and very few people are allowed close access to it.
A Royal Model of the Crown
Although I was not permitted to see the original crown at Pressburg, I did have the opportunity to view a detailed model of it in the treasury of Emperor Leopold I. This model was made of gold and decorated with many precious stones. It was crafted to match the exact shape of the Hungarian Crown and may even have been richer in material than the original itself.
The Hungarian Crown is far more than a royal ornament. It represents faith, national identity, and lawful authority. Through legend, religion, and history, it has become a powerful symbol of the Hungarian nation and remains one of the most revered crowns in Europe.
