Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE IRON CROWN
Despite it's small size, the heavily jewelled
Corrona Ferrae
(Iron Crown) is one of the most significant symbols
of royalty in Western Europe. It is called the Iron Crown because of the 'iron' band (revealed to be silver in later
tests) that encircles the inside of the diadem, which, according to legend, was beaten out of a nail used at the Cru-
cifixion. This makes the crown both a religious relic worthy of veneration, as well as a potent symbol of mon-
archy.
As with most medieval relics, the nail is said to have been discovered by St Helena, mother to Constantine, the
first Christian Roman Emperor, who allegedly dispatched it to Theodolinda, regent of the Lombards, for her good
work in converting her people to Christianity. Although no pre-12th century records survive, the crown was pur-
portedly used in the coronation of Charlemagne and in 34 subsequent coronations, including those of Frederick
Barbarossa, Charles V, Napoleon and Ferdinand I of Austria, who was the last Italian King to be crowned with it
in 1838.
Before surrendering Lombardy to the newly unified Italian state, the Austrians removed the crown to Vienna.
But in 1866, when they were finally defeated, the peace terms stipulated the return of the crown to Monza where
it is now on display in the cathedral museum. The new Italian monarchs never held a coronation, but the Iron
Crown was carried behind the funeral cortege of King Vittorio Emanuele II (1820-78), the first king of independ-
ent Italy.
