The Quebec City Fine Arts Museum opened its doors to a new exhibition featuring the royal Habsburg jewels that were brought to Canada by Zita of Bourbon-Parma. The collection, composed of family gemstones, is now available for public viewing after remaining concealed for more than eight decades.
Zita of Bourbon-Parma, known as the last Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary, escaped the advance of Nazi troops in 1940. She arrived in Quebec City carrying a suitcase that contained the precious jewels of her family. The items were hidden from view for years, their whereabouts unknown to the public.
In 2025, the concealed suitcase was uncovered, allowing the artifacts to be transferred to the Fine Arts Museum. Curators at the museum prepared the pieces for exhibition, arranging them so visitors can appreciate the historical and artistic value of the gemstones. The display highlights the resilience of a royal family displaced by war and the journey of the jewels from European courts to a Canadian museum.
The exhibit offers a tangible link to a turbulent period in European history and provides insight into the personal belongings of a former monarch who sought refuge in Quebec. By presenting the jewels, the museum contributes to the preservation of this unique chapter of the city’s wartime heritage, inviting locals and tourists alike to explore a story that spans from the turmoil of 1940 to the present day.