Rare Anjou-Era Jewelry Unearthed in Visegrád
A 700-Year-Old Gold-Plated Silver Jewel Found at the Former Royal Palace in Visegrád
Archaeological excavations at the former royal palace in Visegrád, northern Hungary, have unearthed a 700-year-old gold-plated silver jewel that experts believe could have adorned the dress of Elizabeth of Poland, Queen of Hungary, reports Hungarian Nation.
The finding was discovered during archaeological excavations in preparation for the Visegrád Renaissance Development Program, which included the discovery of the oldest surviving building of the first Visegrád royal palace and a unique Anjou-period jewel. The excavation took place near the former palace chapel dedicated to Saint George at the foot of Castle Hill.
The large Anjou-age mansion, dating back to the 13th century, was found to contain a stone building with a single story, likely of a tower-like form, built during the reign of Charles I of Hungary (Charles Robert). Nearby, a pair of gilded, cast-silver clothes pegs, just 3.5 cm wide, was discovered by experts using a metal-detecting technique.
The delicately crafted pair of clasps was likely used to fasten the neckline of women’s dresses during the Middle Ages. Their fashion survived until the 16th century, making the Visegrád piece an early example from the first half of the 14th century. Experts suggest that the jewel may have once belonged to Elizabeth of Poland, wife of Charles I of Hungary, due to the construction of the building in which it was found.
Historical records from the mid-1340s mention the independent Visegrád mansion of the widowed Queen Elizabeth. After Charles’s death, the building was considerably enlarged and converted into a one-story house. Later, in the second half of the 14th century, with the construction of the castle that still stands today, Queen Elizabeth was probably given a new suite in the palace, which led to the conversion of the old Queen’s House.
As part of the Visegrád Renaissance Development Program, the Castle Authority’s staff is working on rebuilding the historic buildings of Visegrád in a contemporary style. The most visible part of the reconstruction will be the renewal of the citadel and the royal palace.
The recent discovery of the 700-year-old gold-plated silver jewel at the former royal palace in Visegrád sheds new light on the history of the area and the link to Queen Elizabeth of Poland, adding to the rich tapestry of Hungary’s medieval past.
