Coronation Mantle Removed from Display Case at the National Museum

Under special security measures, the Hungarian coronation mantle was removed from its display case in the Hungarian National Museum on Tuesday. The historical relic was temporarily moved to another secure location within the building.

This marked the start of the renovation of the hall that houses one of the Hungarian National Museum’s most important exhibits. During the modernization of the mantle hall, the nearly thousand-year-old relic will disappear from the curious gaze of visitors for a few months. From June onwards, it will await visitors in a much more modern, contemporary space.

Packaged artworks at the Hungarian National Museum. Photo: MTI/Purger Tamás

After lengthy preparations, the experts at the National Museum have removed the coronation mantle from its display case with the utmost care and placed it in a secure storage location.

The historical relic, worn by all Hungarian kings, is one of the most important pieces of Hungarian history.

Therefore, the restorers carried out the work in protective clothing, gloves, and masks so as not to touch the mantle directly, since its material is extremely delicate and must be protected from light and humidity fluctuations.

The entire hall is being renovated, with a whole team involved in the work, including restorers, museologists, museum educators, security experts, and architects. During the renovation work, the museum’s carefully guarded treasure will be taken to a safe location and, once the work is complete, placed in a completely new, modern display case that meets all conservation and security requirements and will be installed in the center of the room.

A replica of the Hungarian coronation mantle presented at the Hungarian State Opera’s New Year’s concert on January 1, 2026. Photo: MTI/Kocsis Zoltán

Gábor Zsigmond, president and director general of the Hungarian National Museum’s Center for Public Collections, announced in December that the surroundings of the historic relic and outstanding piece of European textile art will be renovated.

In addition to the hall housing the coronation mantle, the work will also affect the exhibition rooms of the Seuso Treasure, the Széchényi Hall, and the display warehouse.

“For more than four decades, we have been preserving the coronation mantle, the most important relic of Hungarian cultural history, in the same place and in the same form. The room in which it is located has long been in need of comprehensive renovation,” said László L. Simon, the project manager appointed by Gábor Zsigmond to oversee the work.

Gábor Zsigmond (left) and László L. Simon. Photo: MTI/Purger Tamás

The hall in which the mantle is located will be completely redesigned, with special LED walls creating a modern look, and the reopening of the old entrance to the hall will ensure that as many visitors as possible can admire this special work of art.

The new display case for the coronation mantle is being manufactured in Italy and is vandal-proof and bulletproof.

As part of the project, a rescue box is being made for the mantle to protect the relic under all circumstances.

The renovation plans also include the modernization of the coin collection and the partial renovation of the permanent exhibition rooms.

Photo: MTI/Purger Tamás

The mantle is one of the most important symbols of Hungarian statehood. King Stephen I and his wife Gisela of Bavaria donated the richly decorated, embroidered fabric to the Basilica of the Assumption in Székesfehérvár in 1031 as a chasuble.

In the 12th century, the chasuble—as a relic of the founder of the state—was redesigned into a mantle so that it could become part of the coronation robes of the Hungarian kings.

The ballroom of the Royal Palace. The Holy Crown and the coronation jewels on public display, 1938. Photo: Fortepan / Pálinkás Zsolt

From then until 1916 – until the coronation of Charles IV – every Hungarian king wore this mantle at the coronation ceremony. What is special about this garment is that it features contemporary depictions of St. Stephen, his wife Gisela, and their son, Prince Emmeric (Imre).

The coronation regalia, including the Hungarian coronation mantle, were returned to Hungary 48 years ago, on January 6, 1978, in a solemn ceremony by the United States.

The Holy Crown, Symbol of the Hungarian State, Returned Home 48 Years Ago