Long-lost crowns, rings, and sceptres dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries have resurfaced in the crypt of Lithuania’s most famous cathedral.
In a discovery that has stunned historians, a trove of royal artefacts has been uncovered in the crypts beneath Vilnius Cathedral in Lithuania.
Hidden since the outbreak of World War II, these treasures – belonging to Medieval European rulers – offer a fascinating glimpse into the past, and particularly into burial rituals.
The haul includes crowns, medallions, rings, and sceptres from the 15th and 16th centuries, many of which are linked to the powerful Jagiellon dynasty.
“The discovered burial insignia of the monarchs of Lithuania and Poland are priceless historical treasures,” said Vilnius Archbishop Gintaras Grušas in a statement, quoted by CNN. “These items are symbols of the long tradition of Lithuanian statehood, signs of Vilnius as the capital city, and magnificent works of goldsmithing and jewellery.”
The artefacts, believed to have been placed in the royal sarcophagi after the monarchs’ deaths, were never worn by the rulers in life but crafted specifically for their burial. The crowns and other symbols were part of the burial rituals of the time, designed to honour the rulers after death.
“This discovery is of particular importance for our statehood, as it shows the location of Vilnius Cathedral as the necropolis of the elite of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania,” the statement continued.
Discovered back in 1931 when the cathedral was being cleaned after a spring flood, the treasure trove was briefly put on display before being hidden with the onset of World War II. Despite several unsuccessful searches, researchers returned to the crypts in September 2024, using an endoscopic camera to finally uncover the hidden items wrapped in newspapers dating back to September 1939.
The find includes crowns and insignia associated with notable figures such as Alexander Jagiellon, who ruled Poland from 1501 to 1506, and Sigismund Augustus, who reigned from 1548 to 1572.
Additionally, items connected to Elizabeth of Austria, including a crown and a medallion, were also found.
“These symbols are important both for the State and for each of us, as signs of European identity, as a reclaimed identity of the old State, as a sign of the strength of our roots,” explained Rita Pauliukevičiūtė, director of the Vilnius Church Heritage Museum.
The artefacts – whose exact value has yet to be revealed – are set to undergo examination and restoration before being put on display for the public, with both the Vilnius Archdiocese and Lithuania’s Department of Cultural Heritage supporting further research. Their discovery could also bolster Lithuania’s cultural tourism, with officials already eyeing Vilnius as a focal point for the country’s tourism strategy leading up to 2030.
“The discovery provides a tangible connection to the history of the region and the enduring legacy of the Jagiellon dynasty,” Pauliukevičiūtė added, underlining how the find represents another draw to Vilnius as a cultural hotspot.
