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13th-Century Steps Taken in the Vilnius Lower Castle. Unique Footwear from Archaeological Research of the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania

Event date: 2021 y.July0706 d. - 2021 y.October1031 d.00:00 All events
Valdovų rūmai
Relevant until 2021-10-31

The exhibition will present unique 13th-century leather artefacts discovered whilst conducting archaeologial investigation work of the Vilnius Lower Castle's Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania in 2014–2015. The prime attraction is a finely crafted pair of shoes of an exceptional construction style which stands out from other artefacts of this period in the archaeological material of both Lithuania and its neighbouring countries. This footwear does not have a separate sole – the base of the half-shoes has been formed by folding under the sides of the upper and making a stitch along the length of the sole. Alongside the authentic pair of shoes on display, visitors can learn about how they were restored and related research data, and see a graphic reconstruction of the possible shape of the footwear.

The pair was found in a wooden building that stood near the Early Brick Castle; construction of the wooden structure has been dated to 1281–1282 according to dendrochronological research. A number of other unique finds have also been found in the surrounds of this building – a wooden saddle decorated with bone and horn details and polychromatic painting, a leather saddle cover, ornamented horse-collar, a vegetal ornament decorated oak pommel head, a gold ring, and more (these objects are currently on display in the museum's permanent expositions). All of these artefacts reveal one of the earliest episodes in the history of the establishment of Vilnius city and can without question be associated with the artistocracy of the late 13th century.

Published:: 2021-06-30 16:57
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