#Great #Discoveries #Antique #Crowns #Beneath #Cathedral #WorthPoint
Image Source: Dainius Labutis | Elta via Delfi News
Three 16th-century crowns were hidden underneath Lithuania’s Vilnius Cathedral during World War II. The crowns were carefully hidden to the point where they became exceedingly difficult to find. They remained in place until last month when they were found in the cathedral’s catacombs, according to Delfi.
The crowns originally belonged to three rulers of Lithuania and Poland: Alexander Jagiellon, his mother Elizabeth of Habsburg, and Barbora Radziwill. They were discovered alongside three chains, four rings, and other artifacts.
Ultimately, the rulers never wore the crowns during their respective lifetimes. Instead, the crowns were minted after their deaths as part of their respective burials, Vilnius Archbishop Metropolitan Gintaras Grušas said.
Grušas indicated that the items had been hidden underneath the cathedral since 1939. At the time, World War II was underway, putting the cathedral in danger. As such, Delfi reported that the items were stored in a staircase in the cathedral’s treasury.
Over the years, attempts were made to recover the artifacts from the secret storage area. In 2009, a project began in which thermal imaging, metal detectors, and other tools and techniques were used to search for the artifacts. However, the secret storage area remained hidden until it was opened on December 16, 2024.
Grušas described the artifacts as “priceless historical values, symbols of the longstanding tradition of Lithuanian statehood, signs of Vilnius as the capital, and magnificent works of goldsmithing and jewelry.” They could provide valuable insights into Lithuania’s history.
For those interested in viewing more Lithuanian collectibles, our WorthPoint Price Guide contains over 64,000 such items.
Dan Kobialka is a self-employed content writer and editor with about a decade of experience. He produces content across a wide range of industries, including antiques, insurance, and real estate. To learn more about Dan, please visit his website.
WorthPoint—Discover. Value. Preserve.
