Precious 17th-century painting stolen from former Lauro monastery rediscovered

An important 1600th-century painting, stolen from the Baroque church of the Certosa di San Giacomo in Lauro, in the province of Avellino, has been recovered by officers from the local State Police Station.

The church, part of an 18th-century monastery now closed to worship and converted into a venue for public and private events, was stolen along with other works of historical and artistic value. The painting, depicting the Virgin, was found in excellent condition in a countryside area between Lauro and Marzano di Nola, in the province of Naples.

The painting had likely been hidden, awaiting sale on the black market. After the release of the seizure, the precious artwork will be returned to its rightful owners. The investigation, coordinated by Deputy Commissioner Elio Iannuzzi, has thus led to an important step forward in safeguarding the local cultural heritage.