Tiara of Pope Gregory XIII

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The Tiara of Pope Gregory XIII is the oldest surviving papal tiara in existence. Its actual date of manufacture is not recorded. It is known however that it was manufactured during the reign of Pope Gregory XIII (1572-1585), the creator the Gregorian calendar.

Until 1798 many ancient tiaras existed in the Vatican. However invading French troops stole and smashed all the tiaras they could get their hands on, stealing their jewels, which they transported back to Paris. It is unknown how the Gregory XIII's tiara survived the destruction.

Though the oldest papal tiara, there are no modern recorded cases of it being worn by popes, many of whom used the 1834 tiara of Pope Gregory XVI, the Palatine Tiara or a tiara donated to them on their election.

Though papal tiaras are no longer worn by popes (despite having never been formally abolished) the Tiara of Gregory XIII continues to be used to crown a statue of Saint Peter in St. Peter's Basilica on the saint's feast day every year.

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Papal Tiaras in existence
Tiara of Pope Gregory XIII (1500s) · Papier-mâché Tiara (1800) · Napoleon Tiara (1804) · Tiara of Pope Pius VII (1820) · Tiara of Pope Gregory XVI (1834) · Tiara of Pope Gregory XVI (1845) · Tiara of Pope Gregory XVI (lightweight) · Tiara of Pope Pius IX (1846) · Tiara of Pope Pius IX (lightweight) · Notre Dame Tiara (1850s) · Spanish Tiara (1855) · Belgian Tiara (1871) · Palatine Tiara (1877) · German Tiara (1887) · Paris Tiara (1888) · Austrian Tiara (1894) · Golden Tiara (1903) · Tiara of Pope Pius X (1908) · Milan Tiara (1922) · Tiara of Pope Pius XI (1922) · Tiara of Pope John XXIII (1959) · Tiara of Pope Paul VI (1963) · Tiara of Pope John Paul II (1981)