ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Bavarian police return stolen religious sculptures to Czech Republic

cultural-heritage · 2026-04-30

Art investigators from the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office (LKA) have returned five stolen cultural assets to Czech authorities. The sculptures, depicting saints and angels, were stolen from Czech churches dating back to 1993 and were offered for online sale in Bavaria and Berlin. After investigations concluded and in coordination with the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media (BKM), a handover ceremony took place in Prague.

Key facts

  • Five stolen religious sculptures returned to Czech Republic
  • Stolen from Czech churches since 1993
  • Offered for online sale in Bavaria and Berlin
  • Return coordinated by Bavarian LKA and BKM
  • Handover ceremony held in Prague

Entities

Institutions

  • Bavarian State Criminal Police Office (LKA)
  • Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media (BKM)

Locations

  • Bavaria
  • Berlin
  • Prague
  • Czech Republic
  • Germany

Sources