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A group of artifacts from the 15th and 16th centuries, linked to the Jagiellon dynasty and royal officials within it, has been discovered in Vilnius Cathedral, a prominent Catholic site in Lithuania. The dynasty, which ruled over territories in Lithuania and Poland during a period of cultural change in Central Europe, was a time of economic growth.
The artifacts are believed to have been hidden by an unknown source around 1939 at the beginning of World War II. Metallic crowns, scepters, and medallions associated with Alexander Jagiellon (ruled 1501–1506) and Sigismund Augustus (ruled 1548–1572), were found in the grouping by researchers last December in the cathedral’s archives.
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Lithuania, unlike other Baltic countries, retained a largely Catholic identity after its Soviet-era rule, regaining its independence in 1990 and joining the European Union in 2004. Later, officials of the country, trying to establish a bigger draw to it, made the capital city Vilnius a focal point for tourism.
The found items, now secured for preservation, may play a role in advancing Lithuania’s cultural tourism efforts. The Vilnius Archdiocese and the Department of Cultural Heritage have jointly agreed to back an official study of the collection.
In 2018, the country saw a peak in tourism of 1.8 million visitors coming into the country, according to figures released by the government. Now, Lithuanian agencies are centered on Vilnius for a 2030 strategy to grow its visitor numbers.
“This discovery provides a tangible connection to the history of the region and the enduring legacy of the Jagiellon dynasty,” said Rita Pauliukevičiūtė, director of the Vilnius Church Heritage Museum in a statement announcing the research effort.
(Estimated values of the artifacts and timeline of when they may be displayed or loaned in the future have not been disclosed.)
