Four 15th‑century Antonello da Messina paintings were stolen overnight from the Regional Museum of Messina, depriving the city of its only surviving works by the painter and raising concerns over cultural heritage security. The theft occurred on the night of August 5, a national holiday, and has prompted a police investigation and calls for tighter museum security.
The museum, known as MuMe, was breached by a gang that bypassed alarms and removed three of the five panels of the San Gregorio Polyptych, as well as a small double‑sided Virgin and Child painting from a secure display case.
The loss removes the only Antonello works that had remained in his hometown, undermining Messina’s cultural tourism and heritage narrative. The incident has highlighted gaps in museum security protocols and prompted the Italian Culture Ministry to express confidence in the police inquiry.
While the reports agree on four panels taken, one source notes that six paintings were removed with two abandoned on a low wall, and the estimated value ranges from €70 million to €80 million.