Historical treasure that could not be found for decades was discovered in the cathedral’s crypts: among them were funeral crowns and insignia belonging to medieval European rulers.
Among the objects found is a crown belonging to Alexander Jagiellon, or Alexander Jogailaitis, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, who lived from 1461-1506.
Other artifacts include a crown, chain, locket, ring and coffin plate that belonged to Elizabeth of Austria, or Elżbieta Habsburgaite, who lived from 1436 to 1505.
Also found were a crown, a sceptre, an orb, three rings, a chain and coffin plates associated with Barbara Radziwill, or Barbora Radwilaite. She was married to Sigismund II Augustus, or Žygimantas Augustus, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, and died in 1551, reports Noi.md reading.
It is mentioned that the artifacts were placed in the sarcophagi of the kings when they were buried, and the crowns were not worn, but were made after death to become part of the funerary tomb.
Interestingly, these objects were first discovered in 1931, when the cathedral was cleaned after a spring flood, revealing a crypt containing the remains of the kings.
They were exhibited until the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, but were later hidden.
