DRESDEN, GERMANY — Nearly five years after a high-profile heist, almost all of the stolen jewellery from Dresden’s Green Vault (Gruenes Gewoelbe) museum is back on display.
In November 2019, thieves made off with jewellery valued at over 113 million euros ($124 million). The collection, containing more than 4,300 diamonds, was stolen from the museum, one of Europe’s premier art collections, in eastern Germany’s Saxony state.
Authorities have recovered most of the stolen items. However, a notable piece, an epaulette with the Dresden White Diamond, remains missing.
Starting this week, visitors can view the recovered jewellery. The pieces are displayed in their recovered state, as they are still part of ongoing legal proceedings and considered court property.
Marion Ackermann, director general of Dresden State Museums, explained that while some damage is visible to experts, it is not easily noticeable to the general public. The damage occurred either during the theft or due to improper handling by the thieves.
In May 2023, five men from the same family were sentenced to prison for their roles in the robbery.
Saxony Premier Michael Kretschmer acknowledged the heist exposed vulnerabilities in museum security, despite its reputation as one of Europe’s safest buildings. “We were shocked that such a breach was possible, but we have taken the necessary measures,” he said.
The stolen collection, assembled in the 18th century by Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony and later King of Poland, had survived World War Two bombing raids and was taken as war booty by the Soviet Union. It was returned to Dresden in 1958.