Thieves broke into the Regional Museum of Messina in Sicily on Saturday night, escaping with several priceless panels by Renaissance master Antonello da Messina. The robbery occurred around 10:00 p.m. while the city celebrated the Feast of the Assumption. Security systems were bypassed, allowing the suspects to remove pieces from the San Gregorio Polyptych, a collection of immense cultural importance to the region.
Museum Director Marisa Mercurio confirmed that three of the five surviving panels from the 1473 polyptych were taken along with a smaller double-sided panel. Authorities report that the perpetrators managed to get several items out of the building but left two panels leaning against the exterior of the museum before fleeing. The site remained closed on Sunday as investigators processed the area for evidence.
This incident adds to a string of recent museum heists across Europe, including the recovery of stolen Renoir, Cezanne, and Matisse works in northern Italy just days earlier. While the financial value of the stolen Antonello da Messina pieces is estimated between €70 million and €80 million, their historical worth is considered irreplaceable. Antonello, who lived from 1430 to 1474, is credited with introducing Flemish oil painting techniques to southern Europe.
Local officials described the theft as a significant blow to the community. Messina has long struggled to preserve its artistic heritage, particularly after the 1908 earthquake destroyed much of the city and its historical artifacts. Art crime experts note that such high-profile works are difficult to sell on the open market, often serving as collateral in criminal networks. Investigations into the breach continue as police search for the suspects and the missing treasures.