1 October – 29 December 2024
Curator of the exhibition: Jacek Witecki
The Środa Treasure, found purely by chance in 1988 in the town of Środa Śląska during construction works, is among the most extraordinary discoveries made in the 20th century.
A set of unique royal and imperial gems from the Middle Ages, probably originating from the treasure trove of Charles IV of Bohemia, which was to serve as a collateral for a loan, had been hidden in that town and remained secret for more than 600 years.
The unusual circumstances of finding the treasure and its extraordinary value resulted in a mass sensation, causing endless discussion, investigation and speculation. The scientific research conducted on the Środa Treasure has been accompanied for years by unofficial theories, legends and a peculiar ‘mythology’, which in itself is a fascinating subject in terms of culture and history. In fact, it is the theme of the current presentation, which includes – apart from the unique artefacts of the Treasure such as the royal wedding crown – also relevant documents, press cuttings, reports and photographs.