Salt Mines and Castles: The Discovery and Restitution of Looted European Art

Salt Mines and Castles, published in 1946 by Thomas Carr Howe, recounts his experiences as a Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives Officer in post-World War II Germany. The book details the efforts to recover looted European art, including masterpieces hidden in salt mines and castles, after the war's end. Howe's narrative highlights the challenges faced by the 'Monuments Men,' a group of art curators and scholars tasked with restoring cultural treasures amidst the devastation of conflict. This firsthand account provides insight into the intersection of art, history, and the complexities of wartime restitution.