5 Most Secret Treasures Secretly Saved During WW2

Michelangelo’s David is one of the most representative pieces of art ever created. The sculpture is over half a millennium old, and it has survived some of the most bellicose events in history, including World War II and Hitler’s desire to possess it.

The first time the masterpiece was threatened was in 1527, a mere 23 years after its completion. During a civil uprising, a political activist threw a chair out of a window in the and broke David’s left arm in three places.

After the outbreak of World War II, the Accademia Gallery protected the sculpture with sandbags. But in January of 1943, more protection was needed, and it was hidden beneath a brick dome. The David and several other invaluable Michelangelo sculptures were all protected in this manner until the war ended.

It was estimated that Florence held approximately 10% of the world’s art treasures. Unfortunately, the US Army had no option but to bomb the city on March 11, 1944. For roughly six months, the Germans had halted the American advance on the ground, and a decisive airstrike could turn the tide.

However, maps were distributed with white rectangles marking the locations of the artistic landmarks to prevent any damage under any circumstances.

The David and all the other masterpieces were saved that day due to the precision of the Allied bombing. Author Robert Edsell later wrote that it: (QUOTE) "may well have been the most precise bombing mission of the war."

When the war ended, preservationist Deane Keller wrote: (QUOTE) "The bright spot yesterday was seeing Michelangelo's David at length divested of its air raid protection. It was dusty and dirty but it was a great thrill."

Other than a hacked toe that a vandal hammered in 1991, Michelangelo’s David remains untouched at the Accademia Gallery, where millions come to visit it from all over the world.

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