Ferragosto Heist at Messina Museum: Four Antonello da Messina Works Stolen, Two Recovered
On August 15, 2026, a burglary took place at the MuMe – Museo Regionale Interdisciplinare di Messina, where thieves made off with four pieces attributed to Antonello da Messina. Among the stolen items were three panels from the Polyptych of San Gregorio (1473) and a double-sided panel depicting the Madonna and Child. This incident followed a separate art theft in Parma just hours earlier. The museum was closed on August 16 as police launched an investigation. Originally commissioned by Fabria Cirino, the Polyptych consisted of six panels. MuMe’s director, Marisa Mercurio, expressed her dismay, while Messina's mayor, Federico Basile, and Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli denounced the crime. Later that night, two panels were discovered leaning against the museum's fence, and the recovery is currently under investigation.
Key facts
- Theft occurred on August 15, 2026, at MuMe – Museo Regionale Interdisciplinare di Messina.
- Four works attributed to Antonello da Messina were stolen: three panels from the Polyptych of San Gregorio and a double-sided panel.
- The Polyptych of San Gregorio is dated 1473 and was commissioned by Fabria Cirino.
- The double-sided panel was attributed to Antonello in 2003 and purchased by the Sicilian Region at Christie's.
- The museum closed to the public on August 16 for investigations.
- Two panels of the Polyptych (Saint Benedict and Saint Gregory the Great) were found later on August 15 near the museum.
- MuMe director Marisa Mercurio expressed shock and confirmed the theft occurred around 21:50.
- Mayor Federico Basile and Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli condemned the theft and pledged cooperation.
Entities
Artists
- Antonello da Messina
- Caravaggio
- Paul Cézanne
- Pierre-Auguste Renoir
- Henri Matisse
Institutions
- MuMe – Museo Regionale Interdisciplinare di Messina
- Fondazione Magnani Rocca
- Christie's
- Regione Siciliana
- Ministero della Cultura
- Carabinieri Tutela Patrimonio Culturali
- ANSA
- La Sicilia
- Messina in Diretta
- Artribune
- Museo Regionale Accascina Messina
- MuMe (Museo Regionale di Messina)
- Sotheby's
- Monastero di San Gregorio
Locations
- Messina
- Italy
- Parma
- Viale della Libertà
- Sicily
- Naples
- New York