Exhibition: "Weapons that Forged Romania"

History is full of weapons, whether we like it or not. The National Museum of Banat (MNB) is proposing two temporary exhibitions for the end of this year, both of which will be inaugurated simultaneously tomorrow, showcasing, among other things, "weapons that forged Romania." The exhibition includes items from the private collection of Cosmin Pop, a blacksmith known in the world of historical reenactment festivals in Romania under the pseudonym "Fiare din Beci" (Beasts from the Basement). According to MNB, the event is a journey through the military history of Romania, illustrating the evolution of edged weapons in these lands from antiquity to the First World War. It comprises two significant segments: life-size replicas of weapons used in antiquity and the Middle Ages (cosoare, sica, Dacian falx, Stephen the Great's sword, Constantin Brâncoveanu's sword, etc.), all created by Cosmin Pop, and authentic pieces from the modern and contemporary periods from his personal collection. The second exhibition, "Objects. History. Museums. Edged Weapons from the Collection of the National Museum of Banat," features over 40 pieces from the museum's weapon collection, showcasing the most spectacular and recognizable edged weapons from the institution's heritage. Chronologically, the exhibited pieces cover a long period, ranging from the 13th century to the mid-20th century. The oldest piece presented in the exhibition is the Hungarian knight's sword from the turn of the 13th-14th centuries, followed by the swords of Landsknecht mercenaries, rapiers, sabers, iatagans, knives, daggers, and bayonets. Other types of edged weapons, such as maces and halberds, are also represented. An interesting exhibit is undoubtedly the wooden mace, an archaic weapon dating back to the late Middle Ages. Defensive armor is represented by helmets from different historical periods, with the valuable Morion helmet of Italian type from the 16th century being particularly noteworthy, followed by the chainmail shirt and cuirass from the 17th century. The most spectacular defensive weapons on display are undoubtedly the two knight armors (replicas made in the 19th century). One showcase is dedicated to the Civic Guard of Timişoara from the first half of the 19th century. Alongside the Austrian M.1836 helmet used by the Timişoara Guard, the public can also admire the Guard's Regulations from 1822. Among the exhibits are weapons that belonged to Banat personalities: the sword of the noble Ostoici family from Şemlacu Mare and Şemlacu Mic, as well as the sword of General Johann Freiherr von Hiller, a noble and owner of the Butin estate. The centerpiece of the Military Section of the museum from the interwar period is the "Iron Man" or "Iron Soldier." Created to collect donations for war invalids, widows, and other war victims, the "Iron Man" from Timişoara became part of the museum's collection at the end of World War I, following the dissolution of the 61st Infantry Regiment museum. The two exhibitions will remain open to the public until February 29, 2024.