PRESS RELEASE:
Cluj-Napoca, November 4, 2024: The National Museum of Transylvanian History (MNIT), under the patronage of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Culture, and with the support of the City Hall of Simleu Silvania, inaugurated the exhibition "FORGOTTEN WARRIORS AND ETERNAL ORNAMENTS: MIGRANT BARBARIANS DURING THE CRISIS OF THE EMPIRE ROMAN (V–VI CENTURY B. CHR.)”. The exhibition is one of the most significant events organized by MNIT, presenting unique worldwide treasures, which include jewelry, medallions, gold and silver vessels, borrowed from the collections of more than ten museums in the country and abroad.
"Through this approach, MNIT continues its collaboration with world-class cultural institutions, the most important artefacts of the exhibition being part of the treasure from Simleu Silvaniei, discovered in two stages (1797, 1889) and located in the collections of the Art History Museum (Kunsthistorisches Museum ) in Vienna and of the Hungarian National Museum (Magyar Nemzeti Múzeum) in Budapest. The second hoard from Simleul Silvaniei will remain for a shorter period, until the beginning of March 2025. This hoard is considered one of the most important finds from the migration period, both regionally and Europeanly, and artifacts from the two hoards are exhibited for the first time in Transylvania, their place of discovery." says Felix Marcu, MNIT Manager.
Among the exhibits is a spectacular fibula in solid gold, decorated with one of the largest faceted onyx stones, which impresses with its size and exceptional execution. The object is unique in the world and illustrates the remarkable wealth of the elites of the 5th century BC. “These large gold fibulae formed part of the imperial insignia and were important accessories of the Roman emperor's parade dress. They served to fasten the mantle (clamys) on the shoulder, as is represented in the mosaic in the church of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna on the vestment of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I or the Ostrogothic king Theoderic the Great. The onyx fibula from the Simleu Silvaniei hoard is the most imposing piece in the category of imperial fibulae that has survived to this day." says Alpár Dobos, museographer from MNIT.
The Simleu Silvaniei hoard contains an impressive collection of fibulae. Apart from the imperial fibula with onyx, ten other pairs of fibulae are part of the hoard. These are characteristic pieces of women's clothing from the Hunnic era and were worn in pairs, on the shoulders. Fibulae with a semi-discoidal head and a rhomboidal foot are characterized by larger dimensions and are made of cast silver, being wrapped on the front with a gold leaf, in which precious stones are embedded. These smaller sized stones form geometric motifs in the polychrome style characteristic of the Hunnic period.
The exhibition also houses pieces from the Pietroasele hoard, known to the general public as "Cloșca cu puii de aur", gold pieces from the princely tombs at Apahida and from the tomb at Florești-Polus Center (today Vivo). "We set out to present the world of these elites through the most significant archaeological discoveries, which highlight major historical and archaeological phenomena that influenced the evolution of Europe and constitute a common cultural heritage for the European community." continues Alpár Dobos.
"This project represents a cultural moment of great importance, reflecting the history and common cultural values of European countries. We are pleased that we managed to form a team of specialists - architects, designers, builders and artists - who have been working for more than a year on the preparation of this exhibition. We would like to express our gratitude to all those who supported us in this endeavour, especially the Government of Romania, through the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Culture, for the financial support of the project. We invite you to visit and discover the most valuable exhibition in the museum's history!", said Dr. Felix Marcu, MNIT Manager.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, between 10:00 and 18:00 (last entry at 17:30), and tickets can be purchased online at: https://mnit.ro
For more details: Adrian B. Gog, PR Representative, adrian.gog@prandmore.ro, 0757355675.
