Nazi treasure uncovered: Huge horde including Hitler busts found in Argentina
A MASSIVE horde of Nazi artefacts has been found stashed away in a secret strongroom in a house in Argentina.
Treasure trove of Nazi art has been seized in Argentina
The collection - believed to be the biggest in the country’s history - including busts of Adolf Hitler, magnifying glasses inside elegant boxes with swastikas and a medical device used to measure head size.
Police said a total of 75 objects were found in a collector’s home in Beccar, a suburb to the north of the capital Buenos Aires.
They are thought to be originals that belonged to high-ranking Nazis in Germany during World War Two.
Argentina’s Security Minister Patricia Bullrich said many of the pieces were accompanied by old photographs.
A bust of Adolf Hitler was among the horde of Nazi treasure found in Argentina
Legendary Nazi gold train replica being built in Poland
The horder featured 75 Nazi artefacts
It is very impressive the discovery of these original pieces with Nazi symbolism
She said: “This is a way to commercialise them, showing that they were used by the horror, by the Fuhrer.
“There are photos of him with the objects.
“The treasure included ceremonial knives, trinket boxes embossed with Nazi eagles, busts of Nazi eagles, rings, eyeglasses, cufflinks — even a Nazi sundial.
“We are moved, it is very impressive the discovery of these original pieces with Nazi symbolism, emblems of a tragic time in history.”
Police found the horde in a hidden room
One person has reportedly been arrested in connection with the illegal trafficking in works of art.
Along with the Nazi art, ancient Asian and Egyptian objects were recovered along with a variety of fossils.
Raids also were conducted on a warehouse and a shopping centre store to recover the objects.
The horde contained ceremonial knives, trinket boxes, busts of Nazi eagles and rings
Police chief Nestor Roncaglia said they were hidden behind a false wall.
Head of Cultural Heritage Protection Marcelo El Haibe said: “We assume that these objects were not stolen, but were extracted or expelled from their countries of origin.”
He said the investigation was initiated after Cultural Heritage Protection staff noticed objects for sale at the store which appeared to be in breach of UNESCO guidelines.