4 Antonello da Messina paintings stolen from Sicily museum
Why it matters: Officials put the loss at up to 80 million euros, and the works are core pieces of Messina's cultural heritage.
Thieves stole four Renaissance paintings attributed to Antonello da Messina from the Regional Interdisciplinary Museum of Messina in Sicily on Saturday night, including three panels from the 1473 San Gregorio Polyptych and a double-sided Madonna with Child and Christ in Pietà. Italian media reported the thieves got past alarm and security systems and removed one work from an armored display case. Museum director Marisa Mercurio said the theft happened just before 10 p.m. during Assumption holiday celebrations elsewhere in the city. Art expert Alberto Fiz estimated the stolen works were worth 70 million to 80 million euros. Police are investigating whether the theft was carried out to order for the black market.