A set of 3,000-year-old gold artifacts was stolen in minutes from a museum in the medieval town of Villena, Alicante province, in the early hours of Thursday. The haul — bracelets, bowls, bottles and other mainly-gold items discovered in 1963 and dated to c.1000 BC (Bronze Age) — is estimated at up to €1.7m (about $2.0m) in gold value; historical value is incalculable. Spain's Guardia Civil is investigating; authorities say professional thieves are suspected.

2026-08-27

A set of 3,000-year-old gold artifacts was stolen in minutes from a museum in the medieval town of Villena, Alicante province, in the early hours of Thursday. The haul — bracelets, bowls, bottles and other mainly-gold items discovered in 1963 and dated to c.1000 BC (Bronze Age) — is estimated at up to €1.7m (about $2.0m) in gold value; historical value is incalculable. Spain's Guardia Civil is investigating; authorities say professional thieves are suspected.