Coronation Procession
Admire the royal parade passing through the city and hold your breath over the bravery and dexterity of the knights.
Coronation Procession
During the coronations, many guests and artists came to the city, who left us an extensive description of the experienced event. Thanks to this, today we have a fairly accurate idea not only of the course of the coronation, but also of the accompanying celebrations and the royal coronation procession. And that’s exactly what you can look forward to during the Bratislava Coronation Days!
The coronation procession will start parading through the city on Saturday, August 17, at 3 p.m., after group photography of historical groups in the sceneries of the castle. It will start on its journey from Bratislava Castle to the Main Square, where it will arrive at approximately 4 p.m. There will be a rich program prepared.
What’s on?
In the coronation procession, you can see the different kings in the past crowned in Bratislava in a for of portraits, while King Joseph I will ride on horseback with his suite at the lead of the procession. The clergy, led by the archbishop, will also walk in the procession in front of the crown jewels.
The audience will thus see the evolution of clothing, armour and accessories over time. Throughout the procession, the herald will be in the Main Square to provide you with information about the historical background of the coronation, and once the procession has shown itself, he will also introduce its various parts. The program will continue by period dances, knightly matches and falconry ascents.
The coronation oaths
Two oaths were part of the Hungarian coronation ritual: the “coronation oath” and the “oath to the country”. The coronation oath consisted of the act of the king mounting his stallion on his hind legs and waving the coronation sword to the four cardinal points to show that he was ready to defend the country against enemies, wherever they might come from.
By swearing an oath to the country, the King pledges to respect and honour the laws of the land, customary law and all privileges previously granted, whether to individuals or communities. Under the Golden Bull of Andrew II, violation of this oath entitled the inhabitants of the kingdom to rise up with arms in hand against the king. That is why there have been so many rebellions in the history of Hungary.
Although this year it will not be possible to enjoy this act, at the Main Square there will be battles of knights performed instead as thy were also a part of the coronation aftermath.
