Treasure of Guarrazar facts for kids
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The Treasure of Guarrazar is a very old and valuable collection of gold crowns and crosses. It was found in a place called Guadamur, near Toledo, in Spain. These amazing items were gifts to the Christian church from the Visigoth kings in the 600s. The kings wanted to show their strong faith and respect for the church.
The most famous piece is the votive crown of King Recceswinth. It is decorated with sparkling blue sapphires from Sri Lanka and beautiful hanging jewels called pendilia. Even though some parts of the treasure have been lost or stolen over time, it is still one of the best examples of early medieval Christian art.
This incredible treasure was discovered between 1858 and 1861 in an orchard named Guarrazar. After it was found, the treasure was split up. Some pieces went to the Musée de Cluny in Paris, France. The rest went to the Royal Palace in Madrid, Spain, and are now in the National Archaeological Museum of Spain. Sadly, some items from the treasure were stolen in 1921 and 1936 and have never been found.
What Are Votive Crowns?
The crowns found at Guarrazar were not meant to be worn by kings. Instead, they were special gifts to the church. These "votive crowns" were hung above the altar in churches. This was a way for the kings to show their devotion and honor to God.
The way these gold items were made shows a long tradition of metalworking in Spain. The artists were influenced by the Byzantine Empire, which was a powerful empire in the East. However, the way the jewels were set and the style of the letters on the crowns also show a strong Germanic influence.
The most important pieces that remain are the two royal votive crowns. One belonged to King Recceswinth, and the other to King Suinthila. Both are made of pure gold and decorated with sapphires, pearls, and other precious stones. Unfortunately, King Suinthila's crown was stolen in 1921 and is still missing today. There are also several smaller crowns and many gold crosses in the collection.
Where Are the Pieces Now?
The Treasure of Guarrazar is now spread across different museums. Here's where you can find the main parts:
- The National Archaeological Museum of Spain in Madrid has six crowns, five crosses, a pendant, and other gold pieces.
- The National Museum of the Middle Ages (Musée de Cluny) in Paris has three crowns, two crosses, and some gold links and pendants.
Some other interesting things were found at the site too. These included pieces of sculptures and the remains of an old building. This building might have been a Roman temple or a place for religious ceremonies. Later, it became a Christian church. Several graves were found there, including one with a skeleton. A stone slab from this grave mentions a priest named Crispín and dates back to the year 693. This slab is now in the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid.
Some historians believe that the monastery of Santa Maria de Sorbaces at Guarrazar was used as a secret hiding place. People might have hidden the valuable treasures from the court, churches, and monasteries of Toledo there. They wanted to protect them from being taken during the Islamic conquest of Spain.
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See also
In Spanish: Tesoro de Guarrazar para niños
