The regional government of Valencia failed to respond to two urgent requests for museum security information from Spain's Ministry of Culture before thieves stole the historic Treasure of Villena, ministry sources confirmed.
Spanish police had requested the security details to bolster protection across regional institutions following a wave of museum break-ins across the country earlier this year.
While the Ministry of Culture immediately provided security data for the museums under its direct management, central officials were forced to issue repeated requests to Spain's autonomous regions to secure local collections.
The ministry sent its initial request for museum security information on August 11, asking regional authorities for detailed inventories. It followed up with a second request on August 24 to those administrations that had failed to reply, but Valencian officials left both inquiries unanswered.
National police request security audit
The push to strengthen museum security came after the Directorate General of Cultural Heritage and Fine Arts asked the National Police for assistance to prevent further break-ins following several cases reported during the spring and early summer.
Concerns among cultural authorities escalated dramatically after an intruder broke into the Albacete Museum in central-eastern Spain at the end of July.
In response to the surge in crime, the police Historic Heritage Brigade requested a comprehensive inventory of state and regional museums that house significant collections of gold, silver, precious metals, or gems so officers could implement targeted protective measures.
In an official statement, the Ministry of Culture said that it remains in permanent contact with Spain's autonomous communities to coordinate responses to the increased theft risks facing museum institutions this year.
Historic gold collection targeted in heist
The Generalitat Valenciana, which oversees regional administration and cultural institutions in the eastern autonomous community of Valencia, had not submitted its safety data prior to the break-in at Villena.
The Treasure of Villena is a renowned Bronze Age gold hoard discovered in 1963 in the town of Villena, located in the province of Alicante. Comprising dozens of ancient items crafted from gold, silver, iron, and amber, it represents one of the most important prehistoric treasure finds in Europe and is housed in the town's local archaeological museum.
The Historic Heritage Brigade of the National Police is a specialized unit dedicated to tracking stolen artwork, preventing illegal antiquities trafficking, and safeguarding Spain's historical artifacts. Police investigations into the Villena robbery and ongoing efforts to secure vulnerable collections across Spain are continuing.
