In Vilnius found royal treasures hidden there during World War II

Among the treasures found is a crown that belonged to Alexander Jagiellon (or Alexander Yogalaytis), King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, who lived in 1461-1506. Other artifacts include a crown, a chain, a medallion, a ring and a grave plate that belonged to Elizabeth Austrian, or Elzbetti Habsburg, which lived in 1436-1505. There were also a crown, a scepter, a state, three rings, a chain and tomb plates related to Barbara Radziwill, or Barbora Radville.

She was married to Sigismund II August, or Zhigimantas Augustus, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, and died in 1551. "The funeral regalia of the monarchs of Lithuania and Poland are invaluable historical treasures, symbols of the ancient tradition of Lithuanian statehood, the signs of Vilnius as the capital and wonderful works of jewelry," said Archbishop of Vilnius Gintras Hrushas.

According to the statement, artifacts were placed in the sarcophagi of royal persons when they were buried and the crowns were not worn, but made after death so that they became part of the funeral tomb. "This reflects the practice of burial and honoring of the time. This discovery is of particular importance to our statehood, since it shows the location of the Vilnius Cathedral as the necropolis of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania," Vilnius emphasizes.

The objects were first discovered in 1931, when the cathedral was cleaned after a spring flood, resulting in a crypt with the remains of Lithuania. They were exposed to the beginning of World War II in 1939, when they were hidden. Several infertile searches were conducted before the researchers paid attention to the scapies in September 2024. At the end of December, the artifact was finally discovered with the endoscopic chamber.