The extraordinary event is held on the occasion of 700 years since the birth of this King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor.
The coronation ceremony, which made Charles of Luxembourg King of Bohemia and his first wife Blanche of Valois Queen of Bohemia, took place in Prague Castle on September 2, 1347 and was performed by Ernest of Pardubice, first Prague Archbishop. Before that Charles had commissioned the Crown of St. Wenceslas, which since then has been perceived as a symbol of the Czech State and the monarch’s status. This year's event will be staged according to the Coronation Rules, drawn up by none other than Charles IV. The historical accuracy of the celebration will be overseen by experts from the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and Charles University in Prague.
The festivities will kick off on Saturday by recalling the visit of Charles of Luxembourg to Vyšehrad Castle. Here on the eve of the coronation Charles, who at that time already held the title of King of the Romans, took part in religious ceremonies and received a pouch and bast sandals of Přemysl the Ploughman from the canons of the Vyšehrad Chapter. From Vyšehrad the coronation procession, lit with flaming torches, will head for the historical centre of Prague and continue along the Royal Route to Prague Castle. The procession will end with Charles IV entering St. Vitus Cathedral to attend an evening prayer service – Vespers.
Following the evening procession, the coronation ceremony will take place the next day as a part of the Holy Mass. After the coronation of the King and Queen of Bohemia the procession will head for the Old Town, where spectacular celebrations will be held.
The public can look forward to fee admission to both of the processions and the celebration and jousting programme in the city centre.
Programme for the public, Saturday September 3
1 p.m. – 9 p.m. "Life in Medieval Prague", a medieval fair, Karolinum (Ovocný trh 3, Prague 1)
5 p.m. Official arrival of the Royal Procession at Vyšehrad
7 p.m. – 9.45 p.m. The Royal Procession with flaming torches led by Charles IV leaves Vyšehrad and heads for Prague centre
Programme for the public, Sunday September 4
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. "Life in Medieval Prague", a medieval fair, Karolinum (Ovocný trh 3, Prague 1)
3 p.m. – 4.30 p.m. Coronation procession heading from Hradčany to Old Town Square
11 a.m. – 8.30 p.m. Festivities on Old Town Square, medieval jousting tournament, fire show, ceremonial welcoming of the Royal Procession
The festivities will kick off on Saturday by recalling the visit of Charles of Luxembourg to Vyšehrad Castle. Here on the eve of the coronation Charles, who at that time already held the title of King of the Romans, took part in religious ceremonies and received a pouch and bast sandals of Přemysl the Ploughman from the canons of the Vyšehrad Chapter. From Vyšehrad the coronation procession, lit with flaming torches, will head for the historical centre of Prague and continue along the Royal Route to Prague Castle. The procession will end with Charles IV entering St. Vitus Cathedral to attend an evening prayer service – Vespers.
Following the evening procession, the coronation ceremony will take place the next day as a part of the Holy Mass. After the coronation of the King and Queen of Bohemia the procession will head for the Old Town, where spectacular celebrations will be held.
The public can look forward to fee admission to both of the processions and the celebration and jousting programme in the city centre.
Programme for the public, Saturday September 3
1 p.m. – 9 p.m. "Life in Medieval Prague", a medieval fair, Karolinum (Ovocný trh 3, Prague 1)
5 p.m. Official arrival of the Royal Procession at Vyšehrad
7 p.m. – 9.45 p.m. The Royal Procession with flaming torches led by Charles IV leaves Vyšehrad and heads for Prague centre
Programme for the public, Sunday September 4
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. "Life in Medieval Prague", a medieval fair, Karolinum (Ovocný trh 3, Prague 1)
3 p.m. – 4.30 p.m. Coronation procession heading from Hradčany to Old Town Square
11 a.m. – 8.30 p.m. Festivities on Old Town Square, medieval jousting tournament, fire show, ceremonial welcoming of the Royal Procession
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