Jewels Stolen in Germany’s Green Vault Heist Back on Display

The jewelry piece "Aigrette for the hair in the shape of a sun" by August Gotthelf Globig (C) shows a missing piece during the presentation of recovered jewels from a burglary at the Historic Green Vault (Gruenes Gewoelbe) in Dresden, Germany, 13 August 2024. (EPA)
The jewelry piece "Aigrette for the hair in the shape of a sun" by August Gotthelf Globig (C) shows a missing piece during the presentation of recovered jewels from a burglary at the Historic Green Vault (Gruenes Gewoelbe) in Dresden, Germany, 13 August 2024. (EPA)
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Jewels Stolen in Germany’s Green Vault Heist Back on Display

The jewelry piece "Aigrette for the hair in the shape of a sun" by August Gotthelf Globig (C) shows a missing piece during the presentation of recovered jewels from a burglary at the Historic Green Vault (Gruenes Gewoelbe) in Dresden, Germany, 13 August 2024. (EPA)
The jewelry piece "Aigrette for the hair in the shape of a sun" by August Gotthelf Globig (C) shows a missing piece during the presentation of recovered jewels from a burglary at the Historic Green Vault (Gruenes Gewoelbe) in Dresden, Germany, 13 August 2024. (EPA)

Nearly five years after millions of euros' worth of jewellery was stolen in a museum heist in eastern Germany, visitors can once again admire nearly all of the precious pieces in person.

In November 2019, thieves stole pieces that contained more than 4,300 diamonds with an estimated value of over 113 million euros ($124 million), from the Gruenes Gewoelbe (Green Vault) museum in Dresden, in the eastern German state of Saxony.

Police have said most of the jewels stolen from the museum, which houses one of Europe's greatest art collections, have been recovered. Pieces still missing include an epaulette on which a precious stone known as the Dresden White Diamond was mounted.

Starting this week, the jewellery pieces will be back on display in their original spots - albeit in the same condition in which they were recovered in December 2022 as they are part of ongoing legal proceedings and still considered court property.

"There are certain things that perhaps absolute experts can see; we with the naked eye can actually barely see the damage," said Marion Ackermann, Dresden State Museums director general.

"And this damage is mainly due to the fact that they were either broken out during the crime ... or improperly stored by the perpetrators after the crime," Ackermann added.

Five men, all members of the same family, were sentenced to several years behind bars in May 2023 for their involvement.

The heist was a bitter lesson about security at the museum, which before had been considered one of the safest buildings in Europe, said Saxony premier Michael Kretschmer.

"We were shocked that it was actually possible, but we have drawn the necessary conclusions," he said on Tuesday.

The stolen Dresden collection was assembled in the 18th century by Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony and later King of Poland, who commissioned ever more brilliant jewellery as part of his rivalry with France's King Louis XIV.

The treasures survived Allied bombing raids in World War Two, only to be carted off as war booty by the Soviet Union.

They were returned to Dresden, the historic capital of the state of Saxony, in 1958.



Hail HARFA Festival Concludes with Over 91,000 Visitors

The festival was held at the historic Al-Qishla Palace from January 5 to January 11 - SPA
The festival was held at the historic Al-Qishla Palace from January 5 to January 11 - SPA
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Hail HARFA Festival Concludes with Over 91,000 Visitors

The festival was held at the historic Al-Qishla Palace from January 5 to January 11 - SPA
The festival was held at the historic Al-Qishla Palace from January 5 to January 11 - SPA

The activities of Handicrafts Festival (HARFA) 2025 in Hail were concluded Saturday, celebrating a highly successful event that drew over 91,000 visitors.

Held at the historic Al-Qishla Palace from January 5 to January 11, the festival marked a milestone as the first of its kind, coinciding with the launch of the "Year of Handicrafts 2025."
According to SPA. the festival attracted tourists from Europe, America, Asia, the Gulf, and visitors from across Saudi Arabia. It highlighted Hail’s rich heritage of handicrafts, including wickerwork, carpentry, weaving, incense burner crafting, pottery, and clay building. Visitors admired displays of wood engraving, embroidery, wool fluffing, leather goods, daggers, swords, and Thamudic inscriptions, alongside artistic carvings on stone and traditional items such as ropes, windows, and decorative abayas.
More than 130 craftsmen and craftswomen participated, offering live demonstrations and training courses to transfer their skills to younger generations. The daily activities featured hands-on learning opportunities, complemented by awareness programs organized by entities such as the Hail Region Development Authority, the Heritage Commission, and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. These programs emphasized the economic and cultural significance of handicrafts and the role of local authorities in supporting and marketing the craft industry.
The festival also celebrated Hail’s cultural heritage through artistic folklore performances, vintage car displays, and a heritage-inspired environment featuring restaurants and cafes. Over 100 volunteers contributed to the event’s organization, fostering an inclusive and engaging atmosphere for all segments of society.
The event offered a unique blend of creativity, tradition, and community spirit, solidifying its status as a premier cultural attraction in Saudi Arabia.