Medieval Weapons and Armor Collection
The medieval period of the history section of the permanent exhibition is represented by weapons from that era, found in the territory of Bosanska Krajina, which was then known as Donji Kraji. The exhibition includes four swords, three spears, a hook gun, a battle axe, and a fragment of a chainmail glove. The Medieval Collection, housed in the Museum of the Republic of Srpska, currently consists of 36 items. It includes medieval swords found in the Bosanska Krajina region, spears, maces, battle axes, a glaive, an arrowhead, and chainmail armor. The process of gathering materials for this collection began in the early years after the Museum’s founding in 1930, when it was known as the Museum of the Vrbas Banovina. All the items in the collection were acquired either through purchase or donation, though for some, there is no available information regarding their origin.
- Curator Historian
The Vrbas Sword, Rekavice, 5th century
The Vrbas Sword
The Vrbas Sword, which is now part of the permanent exhibition, was discovered in the Vrbas River near the village of Rekavice, in the vicinity of Banja Luka, thanks to divers from the Buk Diving Club. After its discovery, the sword was placed in the Museum of the Republic of Srpska. Although it is not possible to precisely determine the period from which it originates, it is believed to date from the second half of the 14th century or the first half of the 15th century.
Permanent Exhibition
The knowledge of the past of Donji Kraj
The lack of historical sources limits our knowledge of the past of Donji Kraji, as well as of the objects that are now part of the Medieval Weapons and Armor Collection of the Museum of the Republic of Srpska.
Of the three remaining swords displayed in the permanent exhibition, one dates back to the period of the 11th-12th century and was intended for combat against chainmail armor. The second had the same purpose and originates from the period between 1150 and 1300. The third, a hand-and-a-half sword from the period between 1350 and 1450, was designed for combat against full plate armor.
There is no available information on how and when the two of the swords arrived at the Museum, while the third was donated, though the exact date of donation is unknown.
There is also no available information on how and when the chainmail glove was acquired. Regarding the battle axe, it is only known that it was purchased in 1966. The hook gun, believed to date back to the 16th century, is also displayed in the permanent exhibition. However, little is known about it, and the manner and time of its acquisition remain uncertain. This firearm used a matchlock ignition system.