Four priceless Renaissance artworks attributed to Antonello da Messina have been stolen from the MuMe regional museum in Messina, Sicily. The heist occurred on Saturday evening while the city was occupied with traditional Assumption holiday celebrations. Despite active alarm systems and security guards present on site, thieves gained access and removed several panels of the San Gregorio Polyptych and a double-sided panel featuring the Virgin Mary and Christ in Pietà.
Art expert Alberto Fiz estimates the market value of these stolen pieces between 70 million and 80 million euros. While the thieves managed to extract the panels, they abandoned two behind a wall during their escape. Museum director Marisa Mercurio expressed deep concern for the loss, characterizing the works as central to the cultural identity of the region.
Officials in Messina have described the theft as a disaster for the local community and the broader European art world. The museum remained closed on Sunday as authorities conducted a thorough investigation into how the security measures were bypassed. Investigators are treating the matter as a significant criminal event.
Experts note that selling such high-profile, recognizable artworks is difficult through legal channels. Art-crime analyst Lynda Albertson suggests that these pieces often serve as collateral between criminals rather than being sold openly. The investigation is ongoing as police work to trace the stolen items.