A stunning collection of medieval treasures, including royal crowns, sceptres, and orbs, was discovered in a secret underground chamber in Lithuania. The hoard, dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries, was hidden by clergy in 1939 to protect it from Nazi looting during World War II. The discovery, considered one of the greatest in Lithuanian history, sheds light on the country's rich cultural heritage and the impact of the war on its treasures.
A STUNNING Royal crown is amongst a stash of medieval treasure discovered in a secret underground chamber where it was hidden from the Nazis .Vidmantas Bezaras, Director of Lithuania ’s Department of Cultural Heritage , called the discovery “one of the greatest in the He added: “What generations of historians and heritage enthusiasts have dreamed of has now come true.
”The hoard contained 59 pieces including sceptres, royal orbs, chains, medallions, rings and more crowns - all expertly fashioned to the highest standard of the time. Gintaras Grušas, Archbishop of Lithuanian capital Vilnius, said: “The discovered burial regalia of Lithuanian and Polish rulers are invaluable historical treasures, symbols of Lithuania’s long tradition of statehood, markers of Vilnius as its capital, and magnificent works of goldsmithing and jewelry.” He explained that the artefacts were not used by the rulers during their lifetime, but rather crafted specifically to be buried alongside them. The crypt of the monarchs was first discovered in 1931 during repairs to the cathedral in the wake of a devastating flood.Tyson Fury RETIRES from boxing to leave Anthony Joshua fight dead in water In 1939, the clergy sealed the riches in secret chambers to protect them from looting by the rampaging Nazi forces. Vydas Dolinskas, director of the museum of the Grand Dukes, said: “Both the liturgical vessels and the royal insignia have been found wrapped in the newspapers dated 7 September 1939, which means that both parts of the treasury were hidden virtually at the same time, during the first days of war.”After the war, the cathedral was turned into a picture gallery by the Soviet Russians. On November 4 last year, an inspection revealed evidence of possible hiding places in the nooks and crannies of the cathedral walls, but it wasn’t until December 16 that a breakthrough occurred. During an inspection using long, thin cameras, a loose brick was found in the passage between the Middle Crypt and the Chapter Crypt. Upon removal, it revealed a gap large enough for a hand to reach inside, exposing a hidden chamber filled with treasures.For security reasons, the valuables were carefully removed the same day, documented, and transported to a secure location. There was some controversy around the search concerning the involvement of an art historian convicted of purchasing looted items through “black archaeology”. Saulius Poderis claimed to have identified the hidden chamber in August 2024, and ethical concerns were raised about acting on his information.Inside Masked Singer star Macy Gray's diva strop and what ITV DIDN'T show you, Queen Consort of Poland and Grand Duchess Consort of Lithuania were found, along with those of Barbara Radziwill, Queen Consort of Poland and Grand Duchess Consort of Lithuania.NAZI plunder was the organised stealing of art and valuables by the fascist party as it swept through European countries. Jewish property began to be looted in 1933, and the practice continued in other nations occupied by the Nazis during the Second World War. Items of high value, particularly gold and silver, were stolen along with works of cultural significance - such as paintings, sculptures, books and ceramics. Some of the looted valuables were recovered and returned after the war by the Allies' Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives programme . However, many items are still missing or were returned to their country of origin but not the proper owner.: This painting by Raphael was looted by the Germans from the Czartoryski Museum, Poland, in 1939. It is still missing.: A pastel looted from a Jewish couple in World War II and returned to the family's descendants in 2024.: Considered by some to be the most stolen piece of art in history, the Nazis stole this work by Hubert and Jan van Eyck during World War II.
Archaeology Medieval Treasure Nazis Lithuania Vilnius Cathedral Historical Artifacts
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