Why does Poland's earliest holy relic from the time of Mieszko I lie forgotten in Poznań?

The Sword of Saint Peter, possibly gifted during Mieszko I’s reign, remains one of Poland’s most mysterious relics, overshadowed by more famous artifacts like Szczerbiec and the Spear of St. Maurice.

It’s hard to believe that a relic dating back to the time of Mieszko I, the founder of the Polish state, lies largely forgotten in a museum in Poznań. Known as the Sword of Saint Peter, it might be Poland’s earliest Christian relic, yet few people have heard of it.

Whether or not it truly belonged to the apostle, this artifact offers an astonishing connection to Poland’s early Christianization. Therefore, its obscurity is baffling when compared to the widespread recognition of the Spear of St. Maurice or the coronation sword Szczerbiec, both of which occupy central places in Poland’s historical narrative.

The Sword of Saint Peter, potentially gifted to Poland by the Pope during Mieszko I’s reign, is a relic of immense historical importance, yet it remains tucked away in the Archdiocesan Museum in Poznań. A replica of the sword, made in 2005, is displayed in the north nave of Poznań Cathedral near the entrance to the sacristy, allowing visitors to engage with its history while the original is preserved.

According to legend, the sword was brought to Poland in the late 10th century as a gift to Bishop Jordan, a key figure in Christianising Poland. It symbolised the strengthening ties between the Polish state and the Church in Rome. For centuries, it was stored in the treasury of Poznań Cathedral before being moved to the Archdiocesan Museum, where it sits today as a quiet witness to Poland’s earliest Christian days.

Relics like these were more than symbolic objects. They carried political and religious weight. Gifting such items was a well-established tradition in medieval Europe. Popes often sent relics to Christianising rulers to reinforce their spiritual and political authority.

For example, in 739, Pope Gregory III sent King Charles Martel keys to Saint Peter’s tomb and a link from the saint’s chains. The Sword of Saint Peter, if it indeed arrived in the 10th century, would have served a similar purpose: bolstering Poland’s fledgling Christian identity.

Compare this to the Spear of St. Maurice, gifted to Bolesław I the Brave by Holy Roman Emperor Otto III in 1000. That relic is celebrated as a cornerstone of Poland’s recognition as a Christian kingdom. While the Spear is displayed prominently in the Wawel Cathedral museum, the Sword of Saint Peter languishes in relative obscurity. The contrast couldn’t be starker.

The artifact itself is 70.5 cm long, with a blade that widens toward the base. It doesn’t look like the medieval swords you see in museums or films. Some experts think it might actually be a fisherman’s tool, which would make sense given Saint Peter’s background.

Others argue it’s a medieval replica, crafted centuries after the apostle’s time. The unusual construction – a three-layered steel blade – further muddles the picture. This technique is more in line with ancient Mediterranean craftsmanship than anything medieval Europe produced.

Adding to the mystery, the blade’s dimensions and design resemble tools depicted on ancient Greek vases, such as those used by fishermen. One example from the 4th century BCE shows a figure holding a blade strikingly similar to the Sword of Saint Peter. This has led some researchers to speculate that it might not be a sword at all, but a tool with symbolic significance.

By comparison, Szczerbiec, the coronation sword of Polish kings, leaves no room for doubt. Forged in the late 12th or early 13th century, it’s richly decorated with Christian symbols and prayers. Its purpose was clear: to underscore the divine authority of Poland’s rulers. The Sword of Saint Peter, in contrast, remains an enigma.

What does science say? Mixed things, unfortunately. Tests by the AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków found the sword’s three-layered steel construction typical of ancient Mediterranean techniques, hinting at a 1st-century origin. But other researchers think it’s a product of medieval Europe, possibly the 14th century. The lack of definitive answers deepens the sword's mystery.

The museum’s custodian, Aleksandra Pudelska, offers an intriguing perspective: the sword might be a “contact relic.” In medieval practice, objects placed in physical contact with a saint’s tomb or reliquary were believed to absorb their holiness, making them relics in their own right.

“The sword could have been sanctified this way, even if it wasn’t Saint Peter’s personal possession,” Pudelska explains.

Contrast this with the Spear of St. Maurice and Szczerbiec. Both have been thoroughly studied and their origins firmly established. The Spear’s history is well-documented, including its presentation to Bolesław I at the Congress of Gniezno. Szczerbiec is equally unambiguous, with its inscriptions and craftsmanship leaving no doubt about its medieval roots. The Sword of Saint Peter, however, remains frustratingly ambiguous.

For centuries, the Sword of Saint Peter played a ceremonial role. In the 17th century, it was paraded in processions and venerated by the faithful. It was even displayed on Saint Peter’s feast day, allowing the public to connect with its spiritual power. Relics like this were seen as having almost magical properties, capable of bringing divine protection to those who venerated them.

By the 18th century, Enlightenment attitudes shifted perceptions of relics. Skepticism grew, and Bishop Ignacy Krasicki openly criticised practices like kissing the sword during religious ceremonies. As a result, the artifact was relegated to storage, forgotten for over a century.

Even with its uncertain origins, the sword holds immense value. It’s one of the earliest links to Poland’s Christianisation, predating Szczerbiec and sitting alongside the Spear of St. Maurice as a testament to Poland’s medieval history. That it survived centuries of wars, reforms, and Enlightenment skepticism is a miracle in itself.

The Sword of Saint Peter deserves better. It has the potential to become a symbol of Poland’s Christian heritage, yet it’s barely known outside Wielkopolska.

Advances in scientific techniques might one day settle debates about its origins. But even without those answers, the Sword of Saint Peter is a powerful connection to Poland’s medieval roots.

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