Guided tour of the exhibition "Hidden Within" with a museum guide

We invite you to embark on a journey through time – to see the 16th-century regalia of the rulers of Lithuania and Poland, and to learn about the dramatic history of the Vilnius Cathedral Treasury, from its concealment in 1655, 1939, and 1991 to its discoveries in 1931, 1985, and 2024.

In 2024, the burial regalia of King Alexander Jagiellon and Queens Elizabeth of Austria and Barbara Radziwiłł—crowns, a scepter, and an orb—were discovered in the vaults of the Vilnius Cathedral. These treasures were first brought to light in 1931, following a particularly severe flood of the Neris and Vilnia rivers in Vilnius. In 1939, at the outbreak of World War II, when it was impossible to safely evacuate the treasury's valuables, the Cathedral itself became their most reliable hiding place.

During the tour, we will examine the echoes of the treasury's discoveries and the circumstances of its concealment. You will learn what the burial insignias placed in royal tombs symbolized and discover other valuables found in the 2024 cache: jewelry belonging to the queens, testifying to the craftsmanship of Renaissance goldsmiths, a collection of gemstones, and plaques and votives from the Chapel of St. Casimir in the Vilnius Cathedral.

Duration: 1 hour. Location: Church Heritage Museum (Šv. Mykolo g. 9, Vilnius).

Attention! The number of participants in the tours is limited. It is necessary to purchase a ticket in advance (10 EUR, discounted – 5 EUR) for the selected time via the Paysera ticket system. If you have purchased a discounted ticket, please have a document confirming your eligibility for the discount ready.

The exhibition "Hidden Within" will be open at the Church Heritage Museum (Šv. Mykolo g. 9, Vilnius) from July 9 to January 30, 2027. More information: www.bpmuziejus.lt, email muziejus@muziejus.lt or tel. +370 5 269 7803; media inquiries tel. +370 684 07792.

The exhibition is organized by the Church Heritage Museum, in partnership with the Vilnius Academy of Arts. The museum's activities are funded by the Vilnius Archdiocese, the Lithuanian Council for Culture, and the Vilnius City Municipality. The project is partially funded by the Research Council of Lithuania.