Skull of Saint Zdislava Recovered After Theft in Czechia

On May 12, an 800-year-old skull identified as that of Saint Zdislava of Lemberk was stolen from the glass shrine of the Basilica of St Lawrence and St Zdislava in Jablonné v Podještedí, northern Czechia. The 35-year-old thief smashed the shrine, encased the skull in concrete, and planned to sink it in a river. Police recovered the concrete-encased relic on May 15 after detaining the suspect in Mladá Boleslav.

The Straits TimesThe GuardianThe Straits TimesCzech police find stolen skull of 13th-century saint hidden in concrete

Saint Zdislava (c. 1220–1252) was a Bohemian noblewoman noted for caring for the poor and sick. Pope John Paul II canonised her in 1995, and her relic has been displayed in the basilica’s shrine for decades.

The Straits Times

The theft occurred on May 12 before evening Mass while the alarm was off. The suspect was arrested in Mladá Boleslav on May 14; police described the capture as “meticulous police work and a bit of police luck.” The concrete-encased skull was recovered on May 15.

The Guardian

Regional police chief Petr Rajt led the investigation and briefed the press. Detective Jan Ujka confirmed the suspect’s guilty plea and outlined the charges. The 35-year-old suspect, with no prior criminal record, admitted stealing the relic because he opposed its public exhibition. A restoration team is tasked with extracting the skull from concrete without damage.

The Guardian

The relic dates to roughly 800 years ago. The 35-year-old suspect faces up to eight years in prison for theft and related offences. The basilica’s glass shrine facilitated the theft.

The Guardian

Police chief Petr Rajt said the suspect’s plan to sink the skull would likely have prevented its recovery if not for the arrest. Detective Jan Ujka noted the suspect’s lack of prior offenses and his immediate guilty plea. Authorities warned that extracting the skull from concrete will be technically challenging.

Czech police find stolen skull of saint

The suspect opposed the relic’s public display, intending a private burial in a river, reflecting personal disagreement with the church’s exhibition of the saint’s remains.

Czech police find stolen skull of 13th-century saint hidden in concrete

• “We know he wanted to sink it in the river today to bid farewell in this way,” — Petr Rajt, police chief

The Guardian

• “If we had failed to detain the man yesterday, the skull would probably never be found.” — Petr Rajt, police chief

The Guardian

• “He prayed to God that he would be alone in the church – and that’s what happened,” — Petr Rajt, police chief

The Guardian

• “But he was obviously so determined to commit the crime that there was nothing to stop him.” — Petr Rajt, police chief

The Guardian

Restoration experts will begin removing the concrete and preserving the skull. The suspect remains in pre-trial custody pending a court hearing, where he could face up to eight years if convicted.

Czech police find stolen skull of saint