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The Sword of Saint Stephen the Great

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The Sword of Saint Stephen the Great

One of the most admired objects in the Putna Monastery Museum is a replica of Saint Stephen the Great’s sword, whose original is at the Topkapı Museum in Istanbul, Turkey.

The original sword is about 125 cm long; it has a straight double‑edged blade, a sharp tip, a two‑hand grip wrapped in silver gilt wire, and a straight cross‑guard.

Replica of the Sword of Saint Stephen the Great.
The blade is distinguished by its five fullers (two long ones, continued by another that runs to the tip of the sword, and two shorter ones that frame the first), as well as by the four crosses arranged in a line, one beneath the other, near the guard.

Most likely, the original came into the possession of the Turkish sultans not during Saint Stephen’s reign, but during Peter Rareș’ reign, when Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent seized Moldavia’s entire treasury.

Over the years, several individuals, private foundations, and Romanian government agencies have proposed, though without success, that this artifact be returned to the country.

The Slavic inscription on the pommel indicates its owner:

„Io Stephen Voivode” (on one side),
“Prince of the Country of Moldavia” (on the other).

The pommel of the sword of Saint Stephen the Great.

Efforts were resumed in preparation for the major celebration in 2004: the 500th anniversary of the passing away of the great ruler of Moldavia. Since the weapon in question is part of Turkey’s cultural heritage—and therefore could not be transferred in its original form—a solution acceptable to both parties was reached. The sword was brought for display at the National Museum of Art of Romania from July 10 to 30, 2004, after which it returned to its display case in Istanbul.

Romania received in exchange a faithful replica of the sword, but 10 cm shorter than the original, made by Armenian jeweler Kirkor Buyuktasciyan at the request of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and of the Topkapı Museum.

Visitors at the display case with the replica of Saint Stephen the Great’s sword.
A symbol of the struggle for survival and defense of identity, as well as of historic decisions that led to the establishment of Romanian statehood, the sword of Saint Stephen the Great is the main attraction for the visitors of the monastery museum.

Although it is only a copy, it has a huge symbolic power, imparted to it by the personality of the great voivode who placed Moldova on the strong foundations that have endured through many wars until today.