Discover the Enigmatic St. Vitus Treasure: A One-of-a-Kind Exhibition at Prague Castle

Shrouded in mystery the St Vitus Treasure has been kept away from the public for over twenty years, residing in the hard-to-reach chambers of St Vitus Cathedral in Prague. It’s recognized as one of the most valuable collections of its type in all of Central Europe, deeply intertwined with the faith, power, and noble status of Czech kings throughout history. This exceptional treasure comprises more than a thousand-year-old reliquaries, crosses, monstrances, and other ceremonial items crafted from gold, silver, and precious stones, made from the Middle Ages up to the modern era. Among the most notable pieces are artifacts linked to Saint Wenceslas and other key figures in Czech history.

This remarkable collection is now showcased in the exhibition Fragments of Memory at the Riding Hall of Prague Castle. This exhibition connects medieval items with modern art, providing a fresh outlook on their importance in today’s society. Rather than just focusing on their historical and artistic beauty, it also investigates themesand memory — whether personal, collective, or cultural — prompting visitors to think about the connections between the past and the present. Curator Jiří Fajt designed the exhibition to foster a dialogue spanning centuries. In addition to showcasing rare reliquaries, crosses, and other liturgical items, the exhibition also includes works by notable contemporary artistssuch as Gerhard Richter, Anselm Kiefer, Josef Koudelka, Edmund de Waal, and Julian Rosefeldt. It also features valuable medieval manuscripts and liturgical books, highlighting the treasure’s significance in a larger European context.

The St Vitus Treasure serves not just as a collection of exceptionally valuable objects, but also as a meaningful testament to European civilization. The real worth of the treasure goes beyond its precious metals and stones; it lies especially in the relics of saints, which have been revered for centuries. Over time, the treasure has gained many gifts while also experiencing losses due to wars and unrest.

Even today, more than 400 items have survived, and some of them are part of this exhibition. You can visit the exhibition daily from 10 am to 6 pm , and it will be open until 26 July 2026.