Sprawa „rzekomo ukrytych skarbów” w cysterskich klasztorach śląskich .......... 65

THE CASE OF “SUPPOSEDLY HIDDEN TREASURES” IN SILESIAN CISTERCIAN MONASTERIES

The secularization decree announced by the king of Prussia on November 19, 1810, began the liquidation of the monasteries in Silesia. The dissolution of Cistercian abbeys was carried out between November 21-26. All monastic treasuries, securities, gold and silver church jewels, and any valuables were confiscated. The monastery administrator, appointed from among the monks, was to prepare a full inventory of real estate, monastery supplies, and liturgical paraments. The diocesan authorities also wanted to know the exact financial status and needs of the secularized monastery churches. Therefore, they ordered all superiors to prepare a list of their church’s capital and a separate inventory. In response, inventories soon began to arrive at the General Vicariate, including those from Cistercian abbeys. They contained a detailed list of everything of any material value, usually with an indication of the value. The monks had to endure more than one humiliation from the royal secularization commissioners, who often showed a clear dislike for them. Despite this, the monks fulfilled their tasks to the letter and handed over all their property to the secularization authorities. Only the Cistercians from Henryków tried to save some of their treasury. The issue of hidden treasures was raised in August 1811 by Major von Szekely. He was convinced of their existence and constantly harassed the state authorities. The authorities, however, had serious doubts, not only about the case, but also about the major himself, and due to his uncompromising attitude and lack of cooperation, he was finally removed in March 1812 from the case, which was considered a source of sensation and scandal. He was also ordered to be removed from the list of matters to be dealt with and filed ad acta. The searches carried out by Lieutenant Büttner in Krzeszów in the years 1823-1824 were also unsuccessful.