The late‑medieval artefact surfaced while workers stabilized a 15th‑century bastion of the hill‑top complex, once the seat of Poland’s kings.
Conservators say the ring’s detail is “exceptionally well-preserved” and have completed initial cleaning at the site’s Archaeological Conservation Workshop. Further tests will seek to pin down its exact date and purpose.
Sacred initials
Scholars note that in medieval iconography, the Greek letters “ΙC” were commonly paired with “XC” to form the Christogram “IC XC,” a shorthand for “Jesus Christ.”
The monogram appears in manuscripts as early as the fifth century, suggesting the ring may have carried devotional or talismanic meaning for its owner.
Heart of Polish history
Wawel Castle, whose Gothic and Renaissance wings crown a limestone bluff above the Vistula River, is Poland’s most venerated historic site. Built largely in the 14th century and now part of UNESCO’s Historic Centre of Kraków, it served for centuries as the coronation and burial place of Polish monarchs.
The find follows a series of high‑profile discoveries beneath the castle in recent years, including rare 11th‑ and 12th‑century gold rings that have drawn global attention from medievalists. Conservators say non‑invasive imaging will guide any future excavations around the current site.
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Source: TVP World, UNESCO, Restless Pilgrim