An 800-year-old skull believed to be that of Saint Zdislava of Lemberk was stolen on May 12, 2026, from the Saint Lawrence and Saint Zdislava basilica in Jablonné v Podještědí, northern Czech Republic, about 110 km from Prague [1, 2, 3, 4]. The skull had been displayed in a glass shrine inside the church.
Security footage showed a person dressed in black running through the church carrying the relic [1, 2, 5]. The theft took place shortly before evening Mass when the church alarm system was turned off [3, 4]. Prague Archbishop Stanislav Pribyl called the theft "devastating news," saying the skull held immense historical and spiritual value for believers and pilgrims [1].
On May 14, police detained a 35-year-old man in nearby Mladá Boleslav suspected of stealing the relic [5, 3, 4, 6, 7]. The man admitted to the theft and objected to the skull's public display in the church [3, 4, 6, 7]. Authorities said he had encased the skull in concrete with the intention of disposing it in a river to give it a private burial [3, 4, 6, 7].
Local police chief Petr Rajt said, "We know he wanted to sink it in the river today to bid farewell in this way. If we had failed to detain the man yesterday, the skull would probably never be found" [3]. He also added the suspect had prayed to be alone in the church before committing the crime and was determined to succeed [4].
The skull was recovered by police on or before May 15, 2026, but it required expert restoration due to being encased in concrete [3, 4, 6, 7]. The suspect faces charges including theft, possible property damage, and disturbing public order. If convicted, he could face up to eight years in prison [3, 4, 6, 7].
Saint Zdislava of Lemberk lived circa 1220–1252 and was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1995. She was known for her generosity and work for the poor [1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7].
Jan Ujka, a local detective, said the suspect pled guilty and is now in pre-trial custody [4]. The police investigation and restoration of the relic are ongoing.
