In search of Alaric's Treasure, between history and legend

Have you ever heard of the Treasure of Alaric, the king of the Goths who is said to be buried in the heart of Cosenza?

It is a mystery that still fascinates the city's inhabitants and its visitors, who sometimes speculate on the location where Alaric's rumoured treasure might be hidden.

History and myth are intertwined in the legend of Alaric, generating fascinating narratives and dedicated works of art in the historic centre of Old Cosenza.

What is now passed down as the legend of Alaric (Cosenza) stems from a well-documented historical fact:

we are in the year 410, Italy is under a wave of barbarian invasions and the chronicles tell us that Alaric, king of the Goths, is crossing the territory towards the south after having sacked Rome, bringing back a very rich booty. Goods of inestimable value: from the legendary Menorah of Moses to the gold of Emperor Titus. 

Arriving near the Busento river, at Cosentia, the king was struck by a very serious malarial fever that caused his death. From this moment on, the chronicle gives way to myth and the fascinating legend of Alaric.

It seems, in fact, that in order to dig the king's grave, his soldiers temporarily diverted the course of the river, right at the point where today there is the ‘confluence’ with the second Cosentine river, the Crati. Here, at the meeting of the two rivers, Alaric's tomb and treasure were placed, taking care that the prisoners who had dug it were killed so as not to reveal to anyone the exact spot of the royal tomb.

Despite archaeological studies and investigations, the location of the alleged tomb with Alaric's treasure remains a mystery to this day. A fascinating mystery, which throughout history has intrigued artists and writers of the calibre of Dumas and Carducci, who dedicated passages of their works to Alaric's treasure in Cosenza.

But what exactly does the legendary Treasure of Alaric that everyone is looking for consist of?

Imagine a treasure chest with 25 tons of pure gold, 150 tons of silver, precious jewellery, coins and artistic jewellery inside. This was apparently the priceless booty, the fruit of the sacking of Rome, that the Goth soldiers buried next to the dead bodies of the king and his horse at the confluence of the Crati and Busento rivers.

Today, at the site, a contemporary art monument, the work of sculptor Paolo Grassino, evokes the legend of Alaric.

The statue depicts the warrior king standing on his steed, both sharing the same fate of death, as if emerging from the waters of the river to preserve their secret.

The fascination of Alaric's Treasure echoes in the present and enriches contemporary art itineraries in Cosenza, reminding the city of its ancient origins and the legend that sees it as the custodian of one of humanity's most priceless lost treasures.