Four Antonello da Messina Masterpieces Stolen from Sicilian Museum

Four significant Renaissance paintings by the 15th-century master Antonello da Messina have been stolen from the Regional Museum of Messina (MuMe) in Sicily. The theft occurred on Saturday evening, coinciding with Italy's Ferragosto national holiday and a major religious festival in the city, La Vara. This timing may have allowed the thieves to exploit a lapse in security or attention.

While the thieves managed to remove all five panels of the 'San Gregorio Polyptych' from their frame, they abandoned two of the panels behind a wall as they fled. The estimated value of the stolen works ranges from €70 million to €80 million, representing a significant loss to the city's cultural heritage. The incident has raised concerns about museum security, particularly during public holidays and major events.