Theft of ancient masterpieces in the Drenthe museum after a break-in with explosives

These pieces were loaned by Romania to the Dutch museum. The Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emil Hurezeanu, stressed “the heritage and symbolic importance” of the stolen artifacts.

Three bracelets and an ancient gold helmet, a centerpiece of an exhibition, were stolen in an Assen museum in the Netherlands, reported the local media, after an intrusion on the night of January 24 to 25, 2025 to the 'Help of explosives.

The Drenthe Museum, located in Assen in the north of the Netherlands, was to welcome the exhibition until the end of the weekend Dacie, Empire of gold and silverwith many masterpieces loaned by Romania. Around 03:45 am on the night of Friday to Saturday, the police were informed of an explosion, the museum indicates on its website.

Three royal bracelets as well as the Cotofenesti gold helmet, the centerpiece of the exhibition dating from the 450s BC. J.-C, were stolen. This helmet is a “jewel”has noted with the AFP the historian Dimitri Tilloi-d'Ambrosi. “The Dacia was a fairly powerful kingdom in the north of the Danube, known for its gold and silver mines. The helmet is prior to the Roman, and contemporary era of classical Greece”.

Museum director Harry Tupan deplored “A black day for the Assen Museum and the National Museum of History of Romania in Bucharest. We are deeply shocked by the events that occurred last night “. “In 170 years of existence, there has never been such a serious incident. We also experience great sadness towards our Romanian colleagues”he said.

The explosion damaged the museum premises, closed at least this weekend. Dutch police said they cooperate with Interpol to investigate. She identified a suspicious vehicle, burnt down in the night, and which could have a link with this flight. The occupants could have risen in another vehicle.

Dutch authorities have exchanged with the Romanian government. The Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emil Hurezeanu, underlined “The heritage and symbolic importance” stolen objects “And the emotion that their disappearance arouses in Romania”.