Thieves steal Renaissance artworks in museum heist during Italian holiday

As Messina celebrated the Sicilian holiday of Ferragosto, thieves struck the MuMe museum to steal the masterworks by Antonello da Messina.Published On 17 Aug 202617 Aug 2026Thieves have stolen four Renaissance masterworks by Antonello da Messina valued at up to 80 million euros ($93m) from the MuMe Regional Interdisciplinary Museum in the Sicilian city of Messina in Italy.Cultural officials and Italian media reported the theft on Sunday, saying the heist occurred at about 9:50pm (19:50 GMT) the day before, during Sicily’s major Ferragosto holiday.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Italian police recover stolen paintings worth over $10mlist 2 of 3Four more suspects arrested over Louvre heistlist 3 of 3Fourth suspect charged in Louvre jewel heist investigationend of listItalian news outlet Il Giornale dell’Arte said that the perpetrators had exploited the citywide distraction of the traditional Vara procession, which drew police and large crowds to central Messina.Italian daily Corriere della Sera reported that the thieves cut through metal perimeter fencing along Viale Annunziata to gain access to the grounds. They then forced open a side door to enter the gallery halls. ...