The National Bank of Romania (BNR) has launched a dedicated digital page to reveal and raise international awareness of the historic Romanian treasure sent to Moscow during World War I, which remains unrecovered after more than a century. This treasure includes over 90 tons of gold, along with valuable jewellery, religious artefacts, archives, and cultural objects, all entrusted to Tsarist Russia for safekeeping in 1916-1917 but never returned.
The carefully curated platform, accessible through the official BNR website, presents comprehensive archival documents, historical narratives, and the latest updates on diplomatic efforts. It highlights Romania’s legal and historical claim, supported by signed international agreements and guarantees from that era, to reclaim the treasure unlawfully retained by Moscow.
Romanian officials, notably BNR Governor Mugur Isărescu, emphasise the symbolic and financial importance of the treasure to Romania’s national sovereignty and identity. The treasure’s return would represent the restitution of a key national asset rather than simply a financial transaction. Since 1991, the National Bank has actively pursued the treasure’s return through diplomatic and legal channels, with the digital platform marking a relaunch of these efforts to inform better the international community and decision-makers, including members of the European Parliament.
The issue has gained broader recognition in recent years, culminating in European Parliament resolutions calling on Russia to honour its obligations and return Romania’s gold and cultural assets. While partial cultural restitutions occurred during the Soviet period, the vast majority of the gold remains in Moscow. The digital platform supports ongoing dialogues, legal claims, and public campaigns aimed at pressuring Moscow to resolve this century-old dispute.
By providing public access to primary documents and fostering international attention, Romania’s National Bank hopes the platform will enhance efforts to secure the treasure’s return and preserve Romania’s cultural heritage. This initiative stands as a testament to Romania’s enduring commitment to justice and historical truth—a national journey that balances diplomatic perseverance with the preservation of collective memory.
This platform also educates the Romanian public, many of whom were unaware of the treasure’s full story, ensuring the legacy of this historic episode remains alive for future generations.
The National Bank’s pioneering digital platform is thus not just a tool for information but a powerful statement of Romania’s rightful claim and a call for international solidarity in resolving the unresolved appropriation of a national treasure.
