Knight’s Sword
The sword, once belonging to Roland, a renowned knight in French literature.
Source: Wikimedia
Roland was known for wielding the ‘indestructible’ blade and had become a symbol of the area.
Case of Theft
Authorities are treating the case as theft and have begun an investigation.
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Authorities are perplexed by how the sword could have been stolen from its difficult-to-reach location near a sanctuary with limited access.
Not Your Average Sword
This small medieval sword, reputed to cut through giant boulders with a single strike, had been embedded in a wall and secured with a metal chain.
Source: Patrick Clenet/Wikimedia
The loss has deeply affected the village.
Loss of a Tourist Attraction
Rocamadour’s mayor, Dominique Lenfant, expressed his disappointment.
Source: Dynamosquito/Wikimedia
The sword was considered a key tourist attraction according to Lenfant.
Stolen Piece of History
“Rocamadour feels stripped of a part of itself,” he told La Depeche.
Source: Wikimedia
“Even if it is a legend, the destinies of our village and this sword are linked”
Part of Rocamadour’s Identity
“We will miss Durandal.”
Source: Jcomp/Freepik
“It has been part of Rocamadour for centuries; there is not a single guide who does not show it during their visit.”
Priceless
The sword is of high value.
Source: Wikimedia
Mr. Lenfant stated that it was displayed at the Cluny Museum in Paris, which specializes in medieval artifacts.
Belongs to the State
While at the Cluny Museum, it was accompanied by a local councillor and a security guard.
Source: Tony Webster/Wikipedia Commons
Mr. Lenfant noted “Durandal is a public property that belongs to the state. This sword was embedded in the rock face at a shallow depth, very close to the chapel of the Black Virgin. It measures 80cm, so it is a small medieval sword that was forged to stun people or horses, not to kill them,” he explained.
Passed Down from an Angel
According to legend, Emperor Charlemagne received the sword from an angel and passed it to Roland.
Source: Wikimedia
Before his death at the Battle of Roncevaux Pass, Roland tried to break Durandal on a rock to prevent it from falling into enemy hands.
The Story Behind It
The myth suggests that when he threw it into the air, it miraculously traveled hundreds of kilometers before embedding itself in the rock face of Rocamadour.
Source: Wikimedia
Located around 100 miles north of Toulouse in southern France, Rocamadour was named France’s favorite village in 2016.
Another Theft
In a similarly strange theft, a collection of rare 19th-century Russian books valued at over $500,000 was stolen from a library.
Source: Roman Kraft/Unsplash
They were then substituted with fake copies.