Ukraine 25 Romania 26 Greece 27

As we move into Europe proper, we enter a very densely packed area for crown displays. As such I will mention the countries on the map and not cities in the title but these will be noted in conjunction with the photos. Today we visit Ukraine (25 on the map), Romania (26 on the map) and then our imaginary meridian edges slightly west into Greece (27 on the map). 

Ukraine/Zolochiv/Zolochiv Castle (Permanent Display 1crown)

The Crown of Rus-Ukraine (replica)

This Crown is a replica made from design contemporary sketches and paintings of the original.  When the Ukraine gained their independence they wanted to solidify their national identity and one of the projects was to establish a historical museum in the Castle occupied by their former Royal family and to recreate the long lost Crown. There are rumours however that the original still exists but its location remains concealed. 

Romania/Sinaia/Pelisor Palace (Permanent Display 1crown)

The Steel Crown of Romania 1881

During the war of independence fought in Romania in the late 1800's a canon was taken from the Ottoman forces against which Romania was fighting. The steel from this canon was upon victory melted down to create this Steel Crown for King Carol I of the independent Kingdom of Romania. The idea was to serve as a symbol and as such have historic value rather than the crown being of expensive gold and gems. 

Romania/Bucharest/National History Museum (Permanent Display 2crowns)

The Crown of Elizabeth the Consort Queen of King Carol I 1881

The Crown of Queen Marie of Romania 1922

This Crown is made in the Art Nouveau style and strongly influenced by Medieval design and themes. Wrought in gold it includes amethysts and turquoise gemstones as well. 

Romania/Itinerant/Location unknown (Not Displayed 1crown) 

The Crown of the Gypsy King Florin Cioabă

Greece/Athens/Location unknown (Not Displayed 2crowns)

Symbolic Crown of Greece

In similar fashion to the Crowns of Spain and Portugal, this crown seems to exist only to function as a symbolic crown representing the monarchy. It is made of thinly rolled gold and would obviously not be worn but merely displayed at functions of state. 

http://web.archive.org/web/20071007001105/http://www.royalhouseofgreece.gr/royal_regalia.pdf

The Crown of Otto of Bavaria 1832

This crown is that of Otto of Bavaria, who became King of Greece in 1832. He decided to install one of the Wittelsbach crowns as the official crown of Greece. Ousted in the coup of 1862 he fled the country with the crown which he considered to be his own property. In 1959 it was given back to the then King Paul of the Hellenes, who’s son was also to suffer deposition. Both these crowns are known to exist and remain in Greece to this day. They are not displayed due to political tensions.

(All images on this blog are considered defaulted to the public domain due to age and ready sourcing from the internet. If an image on this blog is disputed it will be altered or removed following written protest from an authentic source. please contact me at danielgswan@hotmail.com)