The Hungarian Holy Crown consists of two separate parts, i.e. the lower circular crown
called the Greek crown (corona graeca) and the upper arch-type crown called the latin crown
(corona latina).

The lower circular crown was given as a gift to the Hungarian king Geza I. by the Byzantine
emperor Michael Dukas in 1074. Made in the goldsmith shops of the emperor, the front
perimeter of the circular crown has 5 semicircular and 4 triangular enamelled golden plates
in alternating sequence. In the central plate, the figure of Jesus Christ can be seen sitting on
a throne, raising his right hand for blessing and holding a book in his left. This is a typical
representation of Christ in the Byzantine art, where he is shown as the World Ruler
(Pantokrator). From Christ to the lower left and right, Gabriel and Michael archangels look
toward Jesus. Next to Michael is the picture of Saint George (a warrior saint in the byzantine
mythology) followed by Saint Kosma (a healing saint). Next to the Gabriel is the picture of
Saint Demetrius (a warrior saint) followed by Saint Damjanus (a healing saint). In the back, at
the opposite location to the Pantokrator Christ, the enamelled golden plate of Michael
Dukas, Byzantine Emperor can be seen holding a regal sign in his right hand and a sword in
his left. From him to the lower left and right, emperor Constantin, Jr. and Hungarian king
Geza I. look toward Dukas. In the front, beneath the plate of Christ, a large blue indian
sapphire gem is located followed by on both sides between the plates of the saints a red
almandine garnet, another sapphire and a green glass stone. In the back, beneath the plate
of Michael Dukas, a large sapphire gem is located. On the hind perimeter of the corona
graeca 18 pearls are sitting, and four little golden chains with gems at their tips are clinging
on the left and right side of the crown and one in the back. In the Middle Ages, the gems
had their own meaning. According to this, the blue sapphire symbolized the see, the red
almandine the fire, the green glass the earth, and together they represented the Universe.

The upper part of the Holy Crown is the older one which was sent by Pope Sylvester II. to
Saint Stephen I, the first Hungarian king in 1000 A.D. in recognition of his mission to turn
the pagan Hungarians to christianity and to recognize the Hungarian state. On the top of the
corona latina, the enamelled golden plate shows again the World Ruler Christ (Pantokrator)
raising his right hand for blessing and holding a book in his left. The upper part of the Holy
Crown has an arch-type design and carries pictures in enamelled golden plate of 8 apostles.
Ahead of Christ comes the picture of John and Bartholomew, to the right Peter and Andrew,
to the left Paul and Philip, to the back James and Thomas. The figures are surrounded by
filigree ornaments made of golden wire, pearls and almandine garnets. On the top plate of
the arch, a golden cross is mounted which is not the original one. It is believed that the
original cross was a relic holder and contained a little piece of the cross on which Christ was
crucified. This cross was broken off and later replaced by the present one which was
originally in upright position and its leaning posture is likely due to a physical damage. The
earliest representation of the Holy Crown dating from the 17th century already shows it in
leaning position. The two parts, the lower circular Greek crown and the upper arch-type latin
crown was attached together by Hungarian king Geza I. at the end of the 11th century, and it
is proven that the complete Hungarian Holy Crown already existed in 1166. So, it is more
than 800 years old.

The Hungarian Holy Crown is a harmonic complex of many styles of art, fine goldsmith's and
artistic works, so it truly counts for a masterpiece. Apart from that, it represents their
country, nation and culture for the Hungarians, and such, it is much more than just a regal
jewel for them, it is their highest regarded national relic. If the Holy Crown were able to
speak, it could tell all the ups and downs, despairs and hopes, anguishes and happiness,
cares and cheers the Hungarians went through with their crown during their history which
made them, the Holy Crown and the nation, two unseparable parts.