The Czech Royal Crown is one of the oldest coronation jewels in Europe. It lies safely hidden behind seven locks in St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle. The keys to the chamber are held by seven different important figures. Only when all seven keyholders gather together is it possible to open the vault. This happens only on truly exceptional occasions.

According to an old legend, a terrible curse weighs on the crown. Saint Wenceslas is said to have cursed it himself to protect his treasure. Anyone who places the crown on their head without authorization will die within one year. The punishment is inevitable and without exception. No prayer or penance will help.

The most famous victim of the curse was Reinhard Heydrich. The Nazi Protector allegedly secretly placed the Czech crown on his head during an inspection of the jewels. He wanted to demonstrate his power over the subjugated Czech nation. It did not take long. Shortly afterwards, resistance fighters shot him in Prague. He died from the consequences of the assassination in June 1942.

The curse of Saint Wenceslas inspires enormous respect to this day. No Czech president puts the crown on their head. During the ceremonial exhibition of the jewels, it is approached with maximum humility. No one wants to risk the anger of the patron of the Czech lands. The crown thus quietly rests in its dark chamber and waits for the next centuries.