Archaeologists working at the site of The Crane in Gdansk, Poland, have discovered a late medieval badge: a piece of tin shaped into a turtle dover and with the Latin inscription: “AMOR VINCIT OMNIA” – “Love conquers all”.
The turtle dove badge includes the remains of two detached handles that would allow it to be hanged from a chain or attached to clothing. The bird itself was seen in medieval Europe as a symbol of both love and fidelity. “Their loyalty and care towards their partner and offspring make them an ideal symbol of love and family,” adds Dr. Anna Rembisz-Lubiejewska, an archaeologist from the National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk.
Advertisement
Crane from the Motława side; After removing the scaffolding, the effects of renovation works on the walls, within the wooden lift and on the roofs are clearly visible – photo courtesy National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk
The item was discovered during archaeological work being done at The Crane, a 15th-century port crane embedded between two defensive towers. Considered a landmark of Gdansk, the site is administered by the city’s National Maritime Museum. Since 2020, restoration has been carried out to restore The Crane, which was heavily damaged in World War Two.
The restoration will allow visitors to see parts of the original 15th-century walls and return the crane’s appearance to how it looked in the 17th century. It is scheduled to be completed on April 30, 2024.
Archaeologists working at the site of The Crane in Gdansk, Poland, have discovered a late medieval badge: a piece of tin shaped into a turtle dover and with the Latin inscription: “AMOR VINCIT OMNIA” – “Love conquers all”.
The turtle dove badge includes the remains of two detached handles that would allow it to be hanged from a chain or attached to clothing. The bird itself was seen in medieval Europe as a symbol of both love and fidelity. “Their loyalty and care towards their partner and offspring make them an ideal symbol of love and family,” adds Dr. Anna Rembisz-Lubiejewska, an archaeologist from the National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk.
The item was discovered during archaeological work being done at The Crane, a 15th-century port crane embedded between two defensive towers. Considered a landmark of Gdansk, the site is administered by the city’s National Maritime Museum. Since 2020, restoration has been carried out to restore The Crane, which was heavily damaged in World War Two.
The restoration will allow visitors to see parts of the original 15th-century walls and return the crane’s appearance to how it looked in the 17th century. It is scheduled to be completed on April 30, 2024.
Top Image: Photo Hanna Borkowska /NMM
Related Posts
Subscribe to Medievalverse