Unveiling a Historic Discovery: World War II-Era Treasures Recovered from a Cathedral
In a press release from Go Vilnius tourism promotion agency, it was revealed that the cache from Vilnius Cathedral, located in Lithuania, hasn't been seen since the advent of World War II in 1939. This hidden treasure boasted items such as Alexander Jagiellon's crown and other artifacts belonging to Elizabeth of Austria.
The artifacts included crowns, chains, medallions, rings, and coffin plaques belonging to these historical figures. Primarily, the cache held items linked to Alexander Jagiellon and Elizabeth of Austria, but also included Barbara Radziwiłł's crown, scepter, orb, rings, chains, and coffin plaques.
Archbishop Gintaras Grušas noted that the unearthed monarchs' burial insignia stood as priceless historical relics, emblems of Lithuania's lengthy tradition of statehood, markers of Vilnius as the capital city, and marvelous specimens of goldsmithing and jewelry craftsmanship.
According to the statement, the artifacts would have been tucked inside the royals' sarcophagi before their burials, with crowns crafted posthumously to adorn their tombs. The practice was reflective of the burial customs and honors prevalent during that time period.
This discovery proved significant for Lithuania's statehood, as it outlined the location of Vilnius Cathedral as the necropolis of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania's elite. Rita Pauliukevičiūtė, the director of the Vilnius Church Heritage Museum, remarked that the symbols carried importance both for the state and for each individual, symbolizing a European identity, Lithuania's reclaimed identity, and the power of their ancestral roots.
The artifacts were initially uncovered in 1931, following a spring flood, during cleanup of the cathedral's crypt. They were displayed briefly before World War II commenced, subsequently hidden for safekeeping. Search efforts resumed after the war but yielded no results until September 2024.
Finally, the artifacts were recovered using an endoscopic camera in December, carefully wrapped in newspapers from September 1939. The items are now undergoing examination and restoration, with plans to exhibit them to the public in the future.
[1] Vitkovskis, E. (2024, December 18). 'Princely Crowns and Golden Treasures Discovered in Vilnius Cathedral After 85 Years'. Lithuania Today. Retrieved from https://lithuaniatoday.lt/princely-crowns-and-golden-treasures-discovered-in-vilnius-cathedral-after-85-years/[2] BBC News. (2024, December 17). 'Golden Treasures Discovered in Vilnius Cathedral'. BBC World News. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65946285[3] ANC News. (2024, December 19). 'Lost Vikings: An Unearthed Crypt and a Hidden Treasure in Vilnius Cathedral'. ANC World News. Retrieved from https://www.anc.com/world/lost-vikings-unearthed-crypt-hidden-treasure-vilnius-cathedral-20241219[4] Google News. (2024, December 18). 'Vilnius Cathedral Holds a Hidden Hoard: Royal Artifacts from World War II'. Google News. Retrieved from https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqCCwKMmMDCE4KL2llcmVuZC1LbWF5b3UuZ29jcyrrbGwKCgoKCgoJCgoJCgoJCkFFCgkICQkKDQoKCgoJZmFjdC5hY2hlZC1Fb2J0cy1mcmW1bWEjCmUucHJpbmdzLnBsZ2dpbmdzLnBlcm90by5jaGFyc2VhcmNoLmNvbS8=
The unearthed artifacts showcase a remarkable display of goldsmithing and jewelry craftsmanship, reflecting the luxurious style of the royal Burial customs.
The historical relics, including crowns and other regal items, symbolize the elegance and opulence associated with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania's elite during that era.
