Across the centuries, swords have become more than tools of war. They have served as symbols of power, justice, rebellion and legend. Some are linked to great historical figures, others to myths that shaped entire cultures. What survives today tells part of that story. Below is a closer look at some of the most famous swords in history and where you can find them now.
1. Excalibur (Legendary, United Kingdom)
Arguably the most famous sword of myth, Excalibur was the legendary weapon of King Arthur. While its exact origins are unclear, tales place it either as the sword drawn from the stone or the gift from the Lady of the Lake. No physical sword has ever been proven to be Excalibur, though several ceremonial blades in British history have attempted to borrow the name.
Where it is today:
There is no definitive Excalibur. However, the sword used in British coronations, the Sword of Offering, carries Arthurian symbolism and is displayed in the Jewel House of the Tower of London.
2. Joyeuse (Charlemagne’s Sword, France)
Joyeuse, the sword attributed to Charlemagne, is shrouded in both history and ceremony. Blending parts from different periods, it became the coronation sword of French kings for centuries.
Where it is today:
Joyeuse is housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris. It remains a key artefact of medieval France, though the blade has likely undergone modification over time.
3. Zulfiqar (Ali’s Sword, Islamic World)
Zulfiqar is the legendary bifurcated sword said to have belonged to Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad. It became an enduring symbol of justice and divine strength within Islamic history.
Where it is today:
The original Zulfiqar has not survived. Several swords believed to be associated with Ali are held in the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, though authenticity is debated.
4. Tizona and Colada (El Cid’s Swords, Spain)
El Cid, the Castilian knight and military leader, was said to wield two famed swords: Tizona and Colada. Tizona in particular is closely linked with his campaigns against Muslim forces in medieval Spain.
Where they are today:
Tizona is on display at the Museum of Burgos in Spain, following a legal battle over its ownership. Colada’s fate is less clear, though various replicas exist.
5. Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi (Japan)
This mythical Japanese sword, one of the Imperial Regalia of Japan, is steeped in Shinto legend. Said to have been discovered in the tail of a slain eight-headed dragon, it represents the virtue of valour.
Where it is today:
Believed to be housed at Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya, the sword is never publicly displayed. Its existence remains symbolic, and access is restricted even to Shinto priests.
6. Wallace Sword (Scotland)
The sword attributed to William Wallace, the Scottish freedom fighter, is an enormous two-handed weapon that speaks to both myth and man. Its size has led some historians to question whether Wallace ever used it in battle, but its national significance remains.
Where it is today:
The Wallace Sword is on display at the National Wallace Monument in Stirling. Restoration work has altered some of its fittings, but the blade’s origins appear late 13th century.
7. Honjo Masamune (Japan)
Forged by the great swordsmith Masamune, the Honjo Masamune symbolised the Tokugawa shogunate and was passed down through generations. It is considered one of the finest Japanese swords ever made.
Where it is today:
Missing since the end of the Second World War, the Honjo Masamune was last recorded in American hands during the Allied occupation. Its current whereabouts are unknown.
8. Sword of Goujian (China)
Over 2,000 years old, this bronze sword belonged to Goujian, King of Yue. Found in near-perfect condition in a waterlogged tomb, its craftsmanship stunned archaeologists.
Where it is today:
The Sword of Goujian is held at the Hubei Provincial Museum. Its edge remains incredibly sharp, and the blade still bears intricate inscriptions.
9. Seven-Branched Sword (Korea)
This ceremonial blade, given as a gift from Baekje to the Yamato court in Japan, features a distinctive design with six smaller protrusions along the central blade. Its purpose was likely diplomatic rather than martial.
Where it is today:
The sword is kept at the Isonokami Shrine in Nara, Japan. It is not usually on public display, and much of its inscription was only confirmed through early photographs and rubbings.
10. Sword of Saint Peter (Poland)
Said to be the weapon used by the Apostle Peter to cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant, this relic was venerated for centuries in Christian tradition.
Where it is today:
Held in the Poznań Archdiocesan Museum in Poland, it is likely a symbolic medieval creation rather than the original, but it retains religious and historical importance.
While some of these swords sit securely in museums, others blur the line between myth and reality. Their stories are stitched into the fabric of nations and legends. Whether through battle or ceremony, they survive as cultural touchstones, marking the moments when steel met destiny.
