The Holy Lance, a relic steeped in mystery and religious significance, has captivated figures like Napoleon and Hitler throughout history. This artifact is linked to the centurion Gaius Cassius Longinus, who pierced the side of Jesus Christ during the crucifixion, as described in the Gospel of John.
According to biblical accounts, Roman soldiers broke the legs of the crucified to hasten death. However, upon reaching Jesus, they found him already dead. One soldier then thrust a spear into his side, resulting in blood and water flowing from the wound.
The lance has since been referred to as the Holy Lance, the Lance of Destiny, or Longinus' Lance, and is considered one of the most important sacred artifacts in Christianity.
The current location of the lance remains a topic of debate. It is rumored that one version resides in the Vatican, hidden from public view within one of the four pillars of St. Peter's Basilica. Another is said to be in the Hofburg Palace Museum in Vienna, while others claim it is in Krakow, Poland, dating back to the 13th century, or in the Armenian Cathedral of Echmiadzin in Antioch.
Legends suggest that the lance confers great power upon its possessor. Historical accounts indicate it was held by notable figures such as King Herod, Emperors Constantine and Theodosius, and the barbarian kings Alaric and Theodoric. In 732, Charles Martel reportedly possessed it during his victory over the Arabs at Poitiers. Charlemagne was said to have won all his battles until he lost the lance, and Frederick I Barbarossa reportedly drowned after losing it in a river in Turkey.
In 1796, Napoleon sought the lance, which was then in Nuremberg. Baron von Hugel allegedly sold it to the Habsburg family along with other historical artifacts. The lance, now displayed in the Hofburg Museum, was stolen by the Nazis in the 1930s.
Reports indicate that Hitler first saw the lance at Hofburg during his stay in Vienna while aspiring to be an artist. When Germany annexed Vienna during World War II, Hitler seized the legendary spear.
Following the fall of the Third Reich on April 30, 1945, the lance was recovered by Allied forces, coinciding with the day Adolf Hitler committed suicide in his Berlin bunker. The relic was returned to the Habsburgs and is currently on display in Hofburg, accessible to visitors today.