Hidden royal burial vessels found in 16th-century Vilnius

Royal burial vessels of Polish and Lithuanian rulers have been discovered in the catacombs of Vilnius Cathedral, Lithuania. The symbols include three funeral crowns, a scepter, an orb, rings, chains and coffin plaques, which were hidden in niches in the basement walls shortly after the outbreak of World War II in 1939.

They were originally placed in the palace of Alexander Jagiellon (1461-1506), King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, the first Sigismund II Augustus (1520-1572). Wife Elizabeth of Habsburg (1526-1545) and second wife in coffin. Wife Barbara Radziwill (1520/23-1551). In 1931, a flood damaged the cathedral and the tombs were exposed during construction. The coffins of three royal members and the royal symbols inside were salvaged.

Eight years later, World War II broke out and Vilnius Cathedral was in danger of being closed, so the Cathedral Chapter began hiding the church’s wealth before it became a target for looters. The vault is walled in an alcove in one of the stairs. The grave goods were hidden somewhere in the vault, but apparently neither location was recorded as that would defeat the purpose of hiding them.

The vault was rediscovered in 1985, but much more effort was put into decorating the crown. The Archdiocese of Vilnius hired experts to use non-invasive methods (geographical radar, thermal imaging, metal detectors) and testimonies of witnesses at the site to find the site, where the regalia was hidden but empty. In 2023, they planned to use 3D scanners to create detailed maps of the vault, but unfortunately funding fell through. Finally, on December 16, 2024, an endoscopic camera penetrated pre-existing cracks and holes in the wall. After several failed attempts, the camera finally captured the long-lost royal burial objects. Walls were dismantled and items removed so they could be recorded, cataloged and moved to a safe location.

“I am grateful to everyone who volunteered to take part in this search and I am truly pleased that, with the cooperation of multiple institutions, these precious objects were finally discovered. They will now be studied, restored and presented to the public in the future. Discovered Lithuania and The burial symbols of Polish rulers are of priceless historical value, a symbol of the long tradition of the Lithuanian state, a symbol of Vilnius as the capital, and an extraordinary piece of jewelry,” the Archbishop noted.