A STUNNING Royal crown is amongst a stash of medieval treasure discovered in a secret underground chamber where it was hidden from the Nazis. Historians have been hunting for the collection of royal riches for decades after it was hidden from fascist looting, and it was finally found last month behind a loose stone using long, flexible cameras.
![[Close-up of a tarnished gold crown.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/secret-place-burial-insignia-rulers-963460349.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The incredible discovery was made beneath the main Catholic cathedral in Lithuania and includes artefacts from eastern Europe monarchs who lived over 500 years ago. Vidmantas Bezaras, Director of Lithuania’s Department of Cultural Heritage (KPD), called the discovery “one of the greatest in the history of today’s heritage protection.”.
![[A gloved hand uncovering a wooden box containing gold chains in a Vilnius Archcathedral crypt.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/secret-place-burial-insignia-rulers-963460296.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
He added: “What generations of historians and heritage enthusiasts have dreamed of has now come true.”. One of the prize pieces is the funeral crown of Alexander Jagiellon, who was Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1492 and King of Poland from 1501. The hoard contained 59 pieces in total including sceptres, royal orbs, chains, medallions, rings and more crowns - all expertly fashioned to the highest standard of the time.
![[Close-up of Adolf Hitler speaking into a radio microphone.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/c52639f2-288a-4183-8ac2-cbfa5b628554.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Gintaras Grušas, Archbishop of Lithuanian capital Vilnius, said: “The discovered burial regalia of Lithuanian and Polish rulers are invaluable historical treasures, symbols of Lithuania’s long tradition of statehood, markers of Vilnius as its capital, and magnificent works of goldsmithing and jewelry.”.
![[Burial insignia of Lithuanian and Polish rulers.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/secret-place-burial-insignia-rulers-963460348.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
