RELIQUARY
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The Holy Lance (Spear of Destiny)
Passion relic
DISPUTED
Hofburg Palace / St. Peter's Basilica
Vienna, Austria / Rome, Italy
PROVENANCE
The spear that pierced Christ's side (John 19:34). Multiple claimants: Vienna, Rome, Echmiadzin, and a lance found during the First Crusade at Antioch (1098).
HISTORY
The Vienna lance dates to the 7th-8th century and contains a nail reputedly from the True Cross. The Antioch lance, found by Peter Bartholomew during the siege, rallied Crusader morale but was doubted by papal legate Adhemar. Hitler's obsession with the Vienna lance is well-documented myth.
A relic with extraordinary political power. Possession was believed to guarantee military victory, making it a tool of imperial legitimacy.
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