A stunning royal crown is among a collection of medieval treasures discovered in a secret underground chamber where they were hidden from the Nazis.
Historians have been searching for the royal collection of riches for decades after it was hidden from fascist looting, and it was finally found last month behind a loose stone using long, flexible cameras.
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The stunning discovery was made beneath Lithuania's main Catholic cathedral, and includes artefacts from Eastern European kings who lived more than 500 years ago.
Vedmantas Pesaras, Director of Lithuania's Department of Cultural Heritage, described the discovery as “one of the greatest discoveries in the history of heritage protection today.”
He added: “What generations of historians and heritage lovers dreamed of has now become a reality.”
One of the prize pieces is the funerary crown of Alexander Jagiellon, who was Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1492 and King of Poland from 1501.
Read more in ancient discoveries
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The hoard contained 59 items in total, including scepters, royal orbs, chains, medals, rings and more crowns – all expertly crafted to the highest standards of the time.
“The unearthed burial regalia of Lithuanian and Polish rulers are priceless historical treasures, symbols of the long traditions of the Lithuanian state, marks of Vilnius as its capital, and magnificent works of goldsmithing and jewellery,” said Gintaras Grosas, Archbishop of the Lithuanian capital Vilnius.
He explained that the artifacts were not used by the rulers during their lives, but rather were made specifically to be buried next to them.
The Crypt of the Kings was first discovered in 1931 during repairs to the cathedral following a devastating flood.
In 1939, the clergy locked the riches in secret rooms to protect them from looting by rampaging Nazi forces.
“Both liturgical vessels and royal insignia were found wrapped in newspapers dated September 7, 1939, meaning that both parts of the treasury were hidden almost at the same time,” said Vidas Dolinskas, director of the Grand Dukes Museum. In the first days of the war.”
After the war, the cathedral was converted into a picture gallery by 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 a breakthrough did not occur until December 16.
During inspection using long, thin cameras, a loose brick was found in the corridor between the middle basement and the classroom basement.
When removed, it revealed a gap large enough for a hand to reach inside, revealing a hidden room filled with treasures.
For security reasons, the valuables were carefully removed on the same day, documented, and moved to a safe place.
There has been some controversy surrounding the research regarding the involvement of an art historian convicted of purchasing looted objects through “black archaeology.”
Saulius Poderis claimed to have learned about the hidden room in August 2024, and ethical concerns were raised about acting on his information.
Despite objections, KPD went ahead with an official investigation and discovered the goods.
The royal memorabilia will be restored and polished, ready for display in upcoming public exhibitions.
Wealths belonging to Elizabeth of Austria, consort of the Queen of Poland and consort of the Grand Duchess of Lithuania were found, along with fortunes of Barbara Radziwill, consort of the Queen of Poland and consort of the Grand Duchess of Lithuania.
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Nazi looting
Nazi looting was the organized theft of art and valuables by the fascist party during its sweep of European countries.
The plundering of Jewish property began in 1933, and the practice continued in other countries occupied by the Nazis during World War II.
Objects of high value, especially gold and silver, were stolen, as well as works of cultural importance, such as paintings, sculptures, books and ceramics.
Some of the looted valuables were recovered and returned after the war by the Allied Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives (MFAA) programme.
However, many items are still missing or have been returned to their country of origin but not to their rightful owner.
The most famous looted items are:
Picture of a young man: This painting by Raphael was looted by the Germans from the Czartoryski Museum in Poland in 1939. It is still missing.
Just judges: The lower left panel of the Ghent altarpiece, painted by Jan or Hubert van Eyck around 1430-32.
Madonna and Child: A statue of Michelangelo that was looted from the Basilica of Notre Dame in 1944.
Claude Monet Bord de Mer: A pastel painting looted from a Jewish couple in World War II and returned to the family's descendants in 2024.
Ghent altar: 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.
The Nazis also confiscated 16,000 paintings from German public institutions that they considered “degenerate.”
