The Holy Crown
Perhaps the most recognised medieval object from Hungary is the Holy Crown, commonly known as the Crown of Saint Stephen. King Saint Stephen, the first Hungarian king received a crown from the Pope in the year 1000. The Crown dates back to the late 11th century, but throughout the Middle Ages it was regarded as the Crown of Saint Stephen.
It consists of two pieces. The lower part is a Byzantine crown, known as Corona Graeca, dating from the 1070s. Its enamel medallions indicate that it was a gift of Emperor Michael Doukas to the Byzantine princess Synadene, wife of the Hungarian King Géza I (1074-75). The upper part is cross-shaped. Most likely, originaly it had other functions, as well. Based on its Latin inscriptions it is known as the Corona Latina. The two parts were probably joined into the present shape around 1200.
