Ancient 'Indestructible' Sword, Dubbed the French Excalibur, Mysteriously Disappears from Rocamadour

In a surprising turn of events, an ancient sword renowned for its indestructibility and legendary sharpness has vanished from its resting place in the French town of Rocamadour. The sword, known as Durandal and often referred to as the French Excalibur, had been lodged in a rock wall for over 1,300 years.

According to English Daily, the Durandal sword is steeped in legend, believed to have been gifted to the Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne by an angel in the eighth century. This remarkable relic was one of Rocamadour's main attractions, drawing visitors from all over to witness its storied presence.

The mystery surrounding the sword's disappearance is deepened by the sheer difficulty of its location. Embedded in a rock face some 100 feet above the ground, locals suspect it was stolen by a daring thief who managed to pull it from the rock. The exact circumstances of the theft remain unknown, leaving both residents and authorities puzzled.

An 11th-century poem, "The Song of Roland," which extols the magical capabilities of the sword, is the oldest surviving work of French literature. The only known copy of this literature is at the Bodleian Library in Oxford. According to legend, Charlemagne gifted Durandal to his elite knight, Roland. Before his death in battle, Roland attempted to destroy the sword to prevent it from falling into enemy hands but failed due to its indestructibility. In a final act of desperation, he threw the sword into the air, and it landed on the cliff in Rocamadour, where it remained for centuries.

The sword's sudden disappearance has deeply upset the local community. Mayor Dominique Lenfant expressed the collective sentiment, stating, “We're going to miss Durandal. It's been part of Rocamadour for centuries, and there's not a guide who doesn't point it out when he visits.”

An investigation is currently underway to recover the ancient relic. However, police are baffled by the logistics of the theft, given the challenging climb and the sword's secure placement. As the search continues, the people of Rocamadour hold onto their hopes of seeing their beloved Durandal returned, its legend and history intact.