Szczerbiec

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Bolesław Chrobry and Svetopelk at Kiev, in a legendary (if ahistorical) moment of hitting the Golden Gate with Szczerbiec sword. Painting by Jan Matejko.
Bolesław Chrobry and Svetopelk at Kiev, in a legendary (if ahistorical) moment of hitting the Golden Gate with Szczerbiec sword. Painting by Jan Matejko.

Szczerbiec ([ʂtʂɛrbjɛʦ], literally notched sword) is a sword that was traditionally used in the coronation ceremony of Polish kings, later Kings of the Rzeczpospolita. It is the last surviving part of the Polish Crown Jewels.

Although according to the legend it was used by Bolesław I Chrobry (Boleslaus the Brave, 992-1025), who notched it when hitting the Golden Gate of Kiev in 1018, it was most probably made in the 12th century, possibly for prince Konrad of Masovia. The Golden Gate was constructed in 1037, some time after Chrobry allegedly went to Kiev. Szczerbiec was used during coronations from the time of Władysław Łokietek to the time of the last coronation (1764).

After the partitions, it was first captured by Prussians, who in 1795 took it to Berlin. Later it found itself in Russia. Finally in 1928 Russia gave it back to Poland, in accordance with the Treaty of Riga. At the outbreak of the Polish Defensive War of 1939 (World War II) it was evacuated from Poland to France. Then in 1940 it was evacuated to Canada, together with the gold deposits of the Polish banks, Jagiellonian Tapestries and other artefacts. It came back to Poland in 1959.

Szczerbiec has been adopted as a badge symbol by many Polish nationalist organisations. It is currently on display in the Wawel Royal Castle Museum, Kraków.

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