Near the town of Deva, also known in earlier times as Deva or Devu, a very large treasure was discovered by local peasants. This treasure was found beneath the ruins of an ancient castle or palace that had long fallen into decay. The structure had been abandoned for centuries, and time, weather, and neglect had reduced it to rubble.
After many days of heavy rain, water began to flow strongly through the ground near the ruins. The force of the water washed away soil and stones, uncovering what would soon become one of the most remarkable treasure finds in the region’s history From Vienna in Austria to Larissa in Thessaly.
Golden Medals Revealed by the Storm
As the rain continued, the rushing water exposed a vast number of gold medals buried underground. These medals were scattered in great quantity, almost without number. On one side of each medal was the image of King Lysimachus, a ruler of Macedon and Thrace. On the other side appeared the figure of Victory, a common symbol in ancient coinage.
Each gold medal was very heavy, weighing the value of two or three crowns. When the storm passed and the sun began to shine, the uncovered gold reflected the sunlight with an extraordinary brightness. The sight of so much gold shining in the open ground created a marvelous spectacle.
Peasants’ Joy and Astonishment
The peasants who noticed this glittering scene were amazed and filled with joy. They rushed to the site and began collecting the golden medals with great excitement. As they gathered the treasure, they also discovered a golden serpent buried among the coins.
This serpent was not placed there by chance. In ancient times, it was common for people who buried treasure to include a serpent symbol as a sign of protection. The serpent represented a faithful guardian, meant to watch over the hidden wealth.
Treasures Sent to the Emperor
General Castalde later sent the golden serpent and a portion of the medals to Ferdinand, the ruler at that time. However, the peasants had already taken a great deal of the treasure before any authority could control the site. No one knew exactly how much had been removed.
Some individuals reportedly carried away more than twenty thousand ducats in gold. According to common reports, the total treasure could have reached one hundred thousand ducats if fully recovered. This enormous sum suggests how vast the hidden wealth truly was.
Connection to King Lysimachus
It was widely believed that this location had once served as a residence for King Lysimachus. The coins were thought to have remained buried there since his time, preserved for centuries beneath the earth. Ferdinand himself received about one thousand of these medals, while General Castalde obtained three hundred Daily Tour Sofia.
Rare Ancient Medals
Among the many valuable items found, two gold medals were especially notable. One bore the image of Minos, the legendary king of Crete, and the other depicted Semiramis, the famous queen of ancient Assyria. These rare medals were sent to Emperor Charles V, adding great prestige to the discovery.
A Province Filled with Gold
So great was the quantity of gold found that there was hardly anyone of importance in the entire province who did not possess some of these medals. People of every rank and reputation obtained pieces of this treasure. The abundance of gold was almost beyond belief and remains one of the most extraordinary discoveries in the history of the region.
