Icon of archangel Michael returned to Poland
In 1990, an icon depicting the archangel Michael was stolen from the Museum of Warmia and Masuria in Poland; the icon’s elaborate frame, which was decorated with silver and precious stones, was also stolen. In summer 2020, an employee of the Museum of Warmia and Masuria happened upon an object on the website of the Recklinghausen Icon Museum in Germany.
Icon depicting the archangel Michael.
Source: City of Recklinghausen
An expert analysis confirmed that this object was the stolen icon from Poland. The museum in Recklinghausen immediately declared its willingness to return the icon to the Polish government.
With support from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media and the Ministry of Culture and Science of the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia, a handover agreement was concluded between the City of Recklinghausen and the Republic of Poland.
On 22 September 2021, in an official ceremony at the Recklinghausen Icon Museum, the icon was handed over to representatives of the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, who then brought it back to Poland.
Delegation at the handover ceremony at the Recklinghausen Icon Museum.
Source: City of Recklinghausen