La Virgen del Puerto Crown Robbery and Planned Public Return
The Crown of the Virgin of El Puerto in Plasencia, stolen recently, was kept in a safe box until a decision was made with the previous bishop, José Luis Retana, to move it to the cathedral museum, which has no alarms. There, placentinos and visitors could view it. To protect the artifact, it sat behind armored glass in a display case, and the room was monitored by cameras, though the dean of the cathedral acknowledged that the system was prone to issues.
The leaders of the sisterhood, Leonor Nogales, who leads the Virgin of Puerto Brotherhood, and Fray José María Correcher, the rector of the sanctuary, believed the museum had alarms. Yet Dean Jacindo Núñez told Efe that there were no alarms in place.
Thieves gained access to the space in the early hours from Saturday to Sunday, entering through the cathedral’s barbican via a ladder. Núñez reported that the intruders forced a grate that opens directly into the museum room with a hydraulic system, then broke the niche where the crown rested, stealing not only the crown but also the Child’s crown, several pectoral crosses, and episcopal rings, all valued at more than one million euros.
Regarding the culprits, the dean remarked that they “knew what they wanted and what they needed for their misdeed,” and he noted it was striking that they did not take other valuable items that were also in the room.
For Nogales, Correcher, and the mayor, Fernando Pizarro, the most important aspect is the sentimental value of the crown, created in 1952 for the canonical coronation thanks to the donations from many residents of Plasencia.
Since then, the crown had only left the museum once a year for the Virgen’s novena celebrated during the patron saint’s festival. Correcher explained that during this transfer, the piece was guarded by the Guardia Civil and the move was planned for April 6, the day before the 7th, which is the pilgrimage day.
“We will not be intimidated, and the Virgin will leave with her crown, because we are Plasencians.”
Leonor Nogales, a leading voice among the sisterhood, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that the Virgin also has other crowns and even the pastoral hat. If weather permits, the procession is scheduled for Sunday, April 7.
Despite the fear and anger surrounding the robbery, all three officials—Nogales, Correcher, and the mayor—have faith that the crown will be recovered or returned. Nogales urged the thieves to repent and return the artifact, expressing sorrow for the loss as it felt like the heart of many residents was taken. The incident is described as a hard blow to the city by Pizarro, who commended the work of security forces and the cooperation among the Cabildo, the Bishopric, and the city council.
In addition to the significant economic value, estimated at over one million euros, what stands out most about the stolen crown is that it was funded by roughly 800 placentinos who donated rings, bracelets, chains, cutlery, grandparents’ rings, and coins. All donations were in gold or platinum, with precious stones added to create the new jewel that now symbolizes the patron saint’s blessing for the community.
“There lay the hearts of all the placentinos,” remarked Nogales and Correcher, reflecting on the communal effort that made the original crown possible.