Unique Anjou-Period Jewelery Found in Visegrád

During an archaeological excavation of the former royal palace in Visegrád (northern Hungary), experts have found a 700-year-old gold-plated silver jewel that could have adorned the dress of Elizabeth of Poland, Queen of Hungary, writes Magyar Nemzet.

During archaeological excavations in preparation for the Visegrád Renaissance Development Program, the oldest surviving building of the first Visegrád royal palace and a unique Anjou-period (in Hungary: 1308-1385, 1386-1395) jewel were discovered. Near the former palace chapel dedicated to Saint George, at the foot of the Castle Hill, stood the large Anjou-age mansion that has now been excavated. On the site of a late 13th-century town house, a stone building with one story, probably of tower-like form, was built in the time of Charles I of Hungary (Charles Robert). Next to it, a pair of gilded, cast-silver clothes pegs was found by experts using a metal detecting technique.

The delicately crafted pair of clasps, just 3.5 cm wide, could once have adorned the dress of a lady of distinction. Such small and ornate clasps were used in the Middle Ages to fasten the neckline of women’s dresses.

Their fashion survived until the 16th century, but the Visegrád piece that has been found is an early example from the first half of the 14th century.

It cannot even be ruled out that it was once owned by Hungarian Queen Elizabeth of Poland, wife of Charles I of Hungary, since the building excavated was probably built for her.

In the mid-1340s, several sources 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, thus the old Queen’s House was again converted.

It was not demolished until the end of the 14th century during the reign of Mary, Queen of Hungary.

As part of the Visegrád Renaissance Development Program, the Castle Authority’s staff are 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.

Via Magyar Nemzet, Featured image via Facebook/Vitályos Eszter