Before the Heist: Interiors, Showpieces and Renowned Visitors to Dresden's Green Vault Museum

The museum, located in Dresden, Saxony, contains one of the largest collections of treasures in Europe, including a vast collection of precious stones from the Baroque to the Classical eras.

According to the director of the museum, the dramatic heist resulted in the loss of jewellery of "inestimable cultural and historical value."

The Green Vault is one of the oldest museums in Europe with a treasure collection of over 4,000 pieces.

To immerse yourself in the splendour of the exhibits, make sure not to miss Sputnik's photo gallery compiled specially for you.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel visiting the Green Vault in Dresden, Germany.

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One of the rooms of the Green Vault in Dresden, Germany.

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'Moor with emerald cluster' figurine displayed at the Green Vault.

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Restoration artist Thomas Sibelius at work at the Green Vault.

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Dirk Syndram, director of the Green Vault, holding The Dresden Green diamonds.

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Visitors at a jewellery room at the Green Vault.

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Former President of South Korea Park Geun-hye visiting the Green Vault.

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Entrance to a jewellery room in the Green Vault.

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Nautiluspokal goblet made of ivory, rubies, silver and gold.

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A sixteenth-century jewellery box made of wood, diamonds, silver and gold.

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Queen Silvia of Sweden visiting the museum.

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The museum staff cleaning a display case.

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One of the members of the personnel at the Green Vault.

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A visitor at the Green Vault, 2006.

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Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder visiting the museum in 2004.

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Restoration of one of the showpieces.

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The Green Vault building as seen from outside.