- Tourist Information
- Map
- Why is the Helmet from Cotofenesti famous?
- How was it discovered?
- What motifs and symbols are on the helmet?
- How old is The Helmet from Cotofenesti?
- The Legend of the Thracian Kings
Tourist Information
Where | The National History Museum of Romania |
Year | Sec. IV a.Chr. |
Material | Gold 750 ‰; silver 225‰; copper 10‰ |
Visiting Hours | Wednesday – Sunday – 10 AM-6 PM Monday, Tuesday – Closed |
Location | Calea Victoriei 12, Bucharest 030026, Romania, Europe |
Map
Why is the Helmet from Cotofenesti famous?
Among the remarkable relics exhibited at the “Historical Treasure” exhibition of the National History Museum of Romania, the famous Gothic gold royal helmet from Cotofenesti stands out. This masterpiece boasts exceptional archaeological, historical, and artistic value, presenting the best examples of Thraco-Getic toreutics. The helmet was discovered by chance in 1927 or earlier, near a second settlement from the Iron Age on a hill adjacent to the village of Cotofenesti, within the radius of Vărbilău commune in Prahova county. Subsequent archaeological research revealed that she was buried alone and remains a unique find.
The helmet is considered one of the most valuable pieces of art and archeology from the Late Bronze Age in Southeast Europe.
How was it discovered?
A young villager from Cotofenesti made an astonishing discovery of a helmet. The helmet was found in a mound called Varful/Coama Fundaturii, which no longer exists due to the conversion of the area to farmland.
What motifs and symbols are on the helmet?
This 770-gram gold piece remains almost entirely undamaged, with only the top part of the cap missing. None of its ornaments appear to have been damaged.
Its overall height measures 24.32 cm, with an inside diameter of 18.42 cm in the middle area (near the eyes), 17.6 cm near the ears, and only 13.5 cm in the area of the skull fracture.

The helmet had a conical cap with decorative conical rosettes arranged horizontally. Although missing the top of the skull, the rectangular frontal, typical of Gethe helmets, is adorned with apotropaic eyes with prominent upturned eyebrows. The fixed, rectangular cheekpieces also boast a unique Gethic helmet feature, depicting a warrior sacrificing a ram. Each cheek has a base hole. The right occiput is decorated with two friezes decorated with fantastic animals, separated by a row of scrolls.
Three griffins are depicted on the back of the helmet.

How old is The Helmet from Cotofenesti?
Around 400 BC, this Cotofenesti helmet is said to have been created. The helmet was likely the property of a Geto-Dacian king, who was the leader of a political group formed in the region towards the end of the 5th or the beginning of the 4th century BC.
The Legend of the Thracian Kings
Legend has it that, at the beginning of history, the Thracian kings, whom Homer wrote were the masters of the Golden Fleece, were united by a secret oath. The legend also says that, on the territory of Romania, the Thracian tribes were united before Burebista. Some historians admit the existence of a royal brotherhood of the Thracians. The chosen ones were initiated into the “Secret of the Oath”, an oath that guaranteed silence in the face of enemies. They wore helmets of gold or gilded silver with specific signs with a certain meaning. The legend speaks of a Brotherhood of helmets. Five Thracian helmets like the one from Peretu were discovered on Romanian territory. One of them is the Cotofenesti Helmet which is the biggest.