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It was one of the most breathtaking, most impudent burglaries in the latest a long time — a worst-scenario state of affairs not only for Dresden, fondly acknowledged as “Florence on the Elbe,” but for the overall condition of Saxony’s cultural heritage. In November 2019, burglars made use of brute force to steal valuables from the city’sHistoric Green Vault. The jewel collection, which belongs to the Dresden State Artwork Collections, is one of the most famed collections in Germany. The suspected robbers, members of a Berlin clan, ended up apprehended and their demo commenced on January 28.
Gems of immeasurable price
In the early early morning hrs of November 25, 2019, various guys forced their way into the Historic Environmentally friendly Vault through a barred window. They utilized brutal drive, evidently with no any regard for art, which was specially astonishing.
Law enforcement cordoned off the making after the November 2019 theft
In minutes, they experienced smashed a glass display screen circumstance with an axe and stolen about a dozen pieces of 3 historic sets of jewels from the era of Augustus the Potent (1670-1733), including the “Saxon White,” a 48-carat white diamond.
Investigations took a change following a yr in mid-November 2020 when the activity drive codenamed “Epaulette” convicted associates of the Remmo clan, one of Berlin’s most infamous gangs, soon after a important raid that involved about 1,600 law enforcement officers.
A few clan customers suspected of the Dresden theft ended up arrested law enforcement up coming nabbed twin brothers, also associates of the clan, and the sixth and remaining suspect, Ahmed Remmo, was arrested on August 19, 2021. Ahmed Remmo was currently convicted in 2020 for a theft at the Berlin Bode Museum.
Where by is the loot?
The whereabouts of the priceless jewels continue to be unclear, and alleged tips have arrive to absolutely nothing. The jewel sets were being among the the unique points of interest of the Inexperienced Vault, which include royal diamond jewellery, a breast star of the Polish Get of the White Eagle, and a diamond-studded rapier.
Suspects were arrested right after a police raid of properties in Berlin in November 2020
“I could hardly believe that it at very first, simply because not extended in the past, the Environmentally friendly Vault was beautifully restored at great expenditure,” explained Ulli Seegers, an art historian who made use of to operate the German branch of the Art Reduction Register, proper after the theft, including it was a “treasure trove of globe cultural heritage.” “It is actually an immense decline, a treasure that is probably irretrievably misplaced,” she told DW.
The pro was not optimistic about locating the gems, either. “Thanks to my experience in the global artwork sector in the subject of artwork crime, the probability that the jewel sets in their original type will reappear at some point is fairly reduced.” She explained the burglars may very properly demolish what is a special cultural treasure and break it up into personal pieces.
Protection standards in museums
Seegers felt certain the “treasure chamber achieved the intercontinental basic safety criteria because of to the aforementioned restoration,” but that they seemingly were not adequate soon after all. 1 need to not overlook, she explained, that “museums are not highest stability” web pages.
Well-known site visitors to the Environmentally friendly Vault
The Dresden theft was “a huge decline for mankind,” mentioned Stephan Zilkens, arguing, even so, that the Inexperienced Vault could have guarded alone from a complete reduction. If the jewels could be marketed without having restriction and have been not affected by the Cultural Property Protection Act — neither of which is the situation, — an auction could fetch any place between €150 million ($168 million) and 200 million, the coverage expert instructed DW.
Environmentally friendly Vault, a ‘state treasure’
The Green Vault in Dresden is just one of the most well-known museums in Germany. The rooms in the historic setting up day again to the 16th century. In 1723, the Saxon Elector and Polish King August the Sturdy had a treasure chamber crafted there. Just after intensive renovation and restoration get the job done, that treasure chamber was moved back to Dresden’s Home Palace in 2006.
The jewels stolen are believed to be value €113.8 million ($135 million).
After the reopening, it was proudly presented to the general public. Russian President Vladimir Putin was offered a tour in 2006 and former US President Barack Obama took a tour during his visit to Germany in 2009.
Currently, the jewel collections are offered in two sections, a historical portion on the first floor of the Home Palace in the 8 authentically restored rooms. The New Green Vault displays specific unique parts on the next flooring. Some rooms were adorned with malachite-eco-friendly paint — therefore the title.
This posting was at first written in German.