Step inside the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (MNBAQ) this season and discover Hidden Treasure: A Century of Mystery—a dazzling exhibition featuring 15 priceless Habsburg royal jewels. This is not just a showcase of imperial finery: it’s an immersive journey into a little-known saga, tracing how these treasures escaped wartime Europe and became an unexpected part of Quebec’s cultural legacy.
At the heart of the exhibition lies a captivating tale: imagine imperial jewels whisked across the Atlantic under the threat of war, hidden in Québec for decades, and now unveiled to the public as a bridge between European grandeur and French-Canadian heritage.
Above photo: Unknown European jeweller, Hat pin in the colours of the Austrian Empire, 18th century. Silver, gilt silver/gold, diamonds, and yellow sapphires, 11.5 × 5.5 × 1.8 cm. Saint Joseph Trust // Photo: MNBAQ, Louis Hébert
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Far more than shimmering gems, these treasures carry an extraordinary backstory. Picture them arriving in Canada in a humble brown briefcase, then spending nearly a century in secrecy within a Québec City bank vault—waiting for their moment to shine.
Visitors will follow in the footsteps of Zita of Bourbon-Parma, the last Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary, whose journey brought her—and this imperial collection—to refuge in Québec City in October 1940.
The jewels’ historic journey
After the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of World War I, Emperor Charles and Empress Zita went into exile.
As the world convulsed during the Second World War, Zita escaped Nazi troops and found sanctuary at Villa Saint-Joseph in Sillery—a quiet corner of Québec City with stories whispering from its walls.
Here, the imperial family forged friendships and memories that linger in Québec’s collective consciousness. The jewels—tucked away, their whereabouts a closely guarded secret—became woven into the province’s hidden history.
Now, for the first time, the hidden treasures of the Habsburg royal jewels emerge from the shadows at the MNBAQ. Among them is the fabled 137-carat Florentine Diamond—a glowing centrepiece in a story of exile, resilience, and the remarkable bond between Québec and the Old World.
A three-part journey
Your visit to the MNBAQ’s Hidden Treasures exhibition begins with sweeping historical milestones: the grandeur of the Habsburg dynasty, Charles Habsburg-Lorraine’s fairy-tale marriage to Zita of Bourbon-Parma in 1911, the Empire’s sudden fall in 1918, and the winding path of exile that ultimately led the empress and her children to Quebec’s welcoming shores.
Next, travellers will discover how the imperial saga intertwines with Québec’s own heritage through 19th-century artworks and artifacts. The focus narrows to Québec City, where the family’s friendships, the ongoing enigma of the jewels, and generational secrets heighten the narrative’s suspense.
The final stop? A breathtaking display of all 15 jewels, accompanied by the very briefcase that safeguarded them across continents and decades. Standing before these artifacts, visitors are invited to contemplate the resilience of a dynasty—and the extraordinary odyssey of a family searching for a new home.
Long hidden from the world, the Habsburg royal jewels at the MNBAQ now invite you to see them not as mere luxuries but as silent storytellers, bearing witness to survival, resilience, and the unexpected ties that bind Europe and Québec.
Insignia of the Order of the Golden Fleece
Among the highlights, you’ll spot the Insignia of the Order of the Golden Fleece—one of Europe’s most storied chivalric orders. Dating to the 18th century, this medallion was worn by Charles I at his wake, representing the Habsburgs’ deep-rooted legacy and faith.
Marie Antoinette pocket watch
Another must-see: an exquisite pocket watch that once belonged to Marie Antoinette herself—a glittering intersection of jewelry and history. Hidden away during the French Revolution, it eventually found its way back to Marie Antoinette’s daughter as a wedding gift. Flip it over, and you’ll spot a lock of hair, thought to be from Empress Maria Theresa, adding a touch of poignancy to this royal keepsake.
The Florentine Diamond
The crown jewel of the exhibition is, without question, the Florentine Diamond—an icon of Habsburg opulence and intrigue. Once believed lost for over a century, this 137-carat marvel dazzles with its pure, light-yellow glow and intricate double rose cut. Its journey across royal courts and continents is the ultimate traveler’s tale, culminating right here in Québec.
Hidden Treasures: A Century of Mystery is now on display at the MNBAQ in Quebec City.
