Cigar-Shaped UFO in Renaissance Europe? Sky Phenomenon of 1564

A terrifying apparition was seen in the bright sky on the 19th of February in the year 1564 at Leipzig by many notable persons

A contemporary illustration exists depicting the phenomenon described below

Strange signs were seen in the sky high above the city of Leipzig on the winter night of February 14, 1564. Namely, a large number of flames appeared in one specific part of the sky, bathing that portion of the heavens in a radiant reddish glow. 

After some time, three white columns clearly passed through these fiery flames, accompanied by two black pillars, and then vanished from sight.

And this spectacle was not witnessed only in Leipzig, but also in throughout Franconia and Bohemia, more than 60 miles (100 km) away, and was reported by many trustworthy persons.

Translated from the original medieval German and Latin by Matus Taratuta ©

Our Evaluation of the Alleged UFO Sighting

The 1564 Leipzig apparition presents striking parallels to modern reports of cigar-shaped UFOs. The described white columns piercing through fiery flames resemble elongated, tubular craft often reported in contemporary sightings. 

Additionally, the presence of contrasting dark pillars alongside the luminous shapes evokes the dualistic light and shadow effects often observed in unexplained aerial phenomena. 

While medieval interpretations framed these events within the context of omens and portents, our evaluation considers the possibility that witnesses may have observed flying physical objects—perhaps of a technological nature—manifesting in the skies.

 The widespread extent of the observation, confirmed by numerous credible sources across a large geographic area, further supports our view that this was not merely a local atmospheric or astronomical anomaly but an event worthy of deeper investigation in the context of historical UFO phenomena.

References:

Zimmermann, Hans: Ein Erschrocklich Gesicht/ so auff den XIX Februarij dises 1564. Jars/ zu Leyptzig von vilen Namhafften Personen ist am Hellen Himmel gesehen worden. Getruckt zu Augspurg : Durch Hans Zimmerman, 1564. Zentralbibliothek Zürich, PAS II 5/6, https://doi.org/10.7891/e-manuscripta-92254