The question of whether the Templar Order was rightfully or wrongfully disbanded awaits a conclusive answer. The Salzburg Templar Research Association is now cooperating with the Pontifical Academy of Science.

Since 2019, Salzburg legal historian Daniele Mattiangeli and bioarchaeologist Jan Cemper-Kiesslich have been shedding light on the events leading to the dissolution of the Order of the Knights Templar in 1312. Numerous research results have been achieved so far, both through the examination of mortal remains, including DNA analyses, and intensive research in the Vatican’s archives. From the beginning, the interest in this project was so great that a research association was founded, supported by the University of Salzburg, the Province and City of Salzburg and the Archdiocese, headed by Daniele Mattiangeli and Jan Cemper-Kiesslich.

Another milestone has now been reached in researching the history of the Templar Order. The researchers received approval for a cooperation between the Salzburg International Templar Studies Network (SITSN) and the Pontifical Academy of Science. A first joint conference is planned for April this year. “This cooperation will give us the opportunity to take part in the Academy’s activities and gain interesting ideas for our project,” Mattiangeli emphasises. It will also be possible to organise events with the Academy as a patron, to obtain general support and to network and exchange ideas even better, says the legal historian. The first official international conference in the cooperation will take place on 18 April 2023. The researchers will present new results of their project. “After careful consideration of all the scientific findings, we want to tell the public whether or not, in our view, the abolition of the Order of the Temple was lawful.”

High-ranking personalities from the Vatican State have confirmed their plans to visit Salzburg.