Treasure Of Hidden Middle Ages Legacy Since PD II Was Found In The Subspace Of The Cathedral

Treasure found under the Cathedral of Vilnius. (Source: Go Vilnius)

JAKARTA - A historical treasure hidden for decades was found in the basement of the Cathedral, including the burial crown and the emblem belonging to the Middle Century European rulers.

The tourism promotion agency Go Vilnius said in a statement last month that the treasure of the Vilnius Cathedral in Lithuania has never been seen since World War II broke out in 1939.

The items include the crown belonging to Alexander Jagiellon, or Aleksandras Jogailaitis, the King of Poland and Adipati Agung Lithuania, who lived from 1461 1506, quoted from CNN on February 5.

Other artifacts include Elizabeth's crowns, chains, medals, rings, and coffin placards from Austria, or El Marijuana Habsburgaitris, which lived from 14361505.

There are also crowns, royal sticks, magic balls, three rings, chains and coffin placards associated with Barbara Radziwi

He was married to Sigismund II Badminton, or Eliangygentas Augustas, King of Poland, and Adipati Agung Lithuania, and died in 1551.

"The burial mines of Lithuanian and Polish kings found are a treasure of invaluable history, a symbol of Lithuanian state long traditions, signs of Vilnius as capital, and outstanding works of gold and jewelry," said Archbishop Vilnius Gintaras Gru Badminton. statement sent to CNN by the Archdiocese of Vilnius.

The artifacts are likely to be placed in the sarkofagus of the aristocrats when they are buried, the crowns will not be worn, but rather made after death to become part of the funeral graves, according to the statement.

"This reflects the practice of burial and respect at that time," the statement said.

"This discovery is very important for our state, because it shows the location of the Vilnius Cathedral as a cemetery for the elite Kadipaten Agung Lithuania," he continued.

"These symbols are important for the State and for each of us, as a sign of European identity, as an identity that is reclamationd from the old country, as a sign of the strength of our roots," said Director of the Virlnius Church Heritage Museum Rita Paulikevi

The items were first discovered in 1931 when the cathedral was being cleaned after a spring flood, which showed a basement containing the bodies of the rulers.

These items were displayed until World War II broke out in 1939, when the items were hidden.

Several in vain searches were carried out before researchers turned their attention to the tomb in September 2024.

Using an endoscopic camera, the artifact was finally found in December, wrapped in a newspaper dated September 1939.

"Artefak tersebut akan diperiksa, disugar, dan dispresentasikan kepada publik di masa depan," menurut Keuskupan Agung.