7 European religious sites where monarchs were historically crowned

The oldest entry on this list, the Hagia Sofia, was completed in 537 AD under Emperor Justinian I. Not only is it one of the most iconic Byzantine structures and one of the most impressive architectural achievements of the time, but also served as the site where the Byzantine Emperors were crowned until the Ottomans conquered Constantinople in 1453. The circular, multi-coloured marble floor known as The Omphalion, "little navel", became the sacred spot for imperial coronations for almost a thousand years! With a long and varied religious history, its design has inspired many Orthodox churches and Ottoman mosques throughout the centuries. Today, this UNESCO World Heritage site serves as the Hagia Sofia Grand Mosque.

Constructed as the Royal Chapel of the Palace of Charlemagne, this Cathedral houses the remains of this iconic Carolingian Emperor. The Throne of Charlemagne is still housed in the Cathedral today. This association with Charlemagne was probably the main reason why this church was established as the premier site for coronations of Emperors of the German Holy Roman Empire. Otto and his successors established this tradition, and between 936 and 1531, over 30 kings took the Throne of Charlemagne here.

As the home of the British Monarchy, this church is the site of some of the most iconic coronations in living memory, including those of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 and King Charles II in 2023. Formally dedicated to St Peter, the Abbey seems to have started in 959 with the establishment of a community of Benedictine Monks. Connected to Anglo-Saxon royal burials and the main centre of power at Westminster, this is where William the Conqueror was crowned in 1066 following the Norman conquest of England. Throughout the shifting dynasties of the British Isles, Westminster Abbey has been the site of coronation for the Kings and Queens of England up to today, over 1000 years!

Construction on the current Cathedral, on the Wawel hill in Krákow, started in the 14th Century. Over time, the structure has been expanded. Today, it boasts an impressive mix of styles, including Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassical, and Neogothic elements. In addition to housing the remains of Polish royalty, national heroes, and poets, the Cathedral is also the historic site for the coronations of Polish monarchs. Beginning in 1320 with King Władysław the Short, all but two Polish rulers were crowned here. Based on traditions dating to the beginning of Polish statehood, individual Polish kings were elected rather than a dynasty. This continued into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, at one time the largest country in Europe.

For many history lovers, the monarchy of France is iconic. While this monarchy is deeply associated with the Fleur-de-Lis, Versailles, and the bloody guillotine, there is no closer association than between the French Monarchy and the Reims Cathedral. Built on the site of the ancient Church where King Clovis was baptised, the first Frankish king to undergo this sacrament, work on this iconic Gothic structure began in the 13th century. This church has served as the place where the French monarchs received their crowns throughout the Middle Ages and Early Modern period. The last king to be crowned in the Cathedral was Charles X in 1825. His successors were instead sworn in at the parliament.

This Cathedral on the Square of the Kremlin Palace in Moscow was originally constructed in 1326 under Ivan I, Prince of Moscow. However, the iconic modern structure dates back to the 15th century and was modelled after a design by an Italian Architect. In 1547, the Cathedral served as the site for the coronation of Russia’s first Tsar, Ivan the Terrible. The church served as the site of Russian coronations till 1896. After the Russian Revolution, the Cathedral was closed. However, the Dormition Cathedral was opened for religious use again in 1990 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Rounding off the list with one of the most famous Royal Dynasties of Europe: the Habsburgs. For those of you expecting Habsburg coronations to take place in Vienna, you may be surprised to learn that this was not typically the case. Instead, the Habsburgs were crowned in different parts of the Empire, including the St Martin’s Cathedral in Bratislava, Slovakia, where they were crowned as the rulers of Hungary. Later Hungarian monarchs would also be crowned in this historic site.