The Guardia Civil's central operations unit (UCO) has recovered 62 culturally valuable items illegally exported from Marbella to Italy by a German couple, following their deaths in Italy. The works, valued at over three million euros, include an early 16th-century altarpiece, Renaissance panels, sculptures, tapestries, and furniture.
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The investigation began in June 2023 after Italy's Carabinieri, via Europol, alerted Spanish authorities to the seizure of a polychrome wooden altarpiece in a mansion on Lake Maggiore. This altarpiece, whose export was denied in 2018 by Spain's Ministry of Culture, was later transferred to Turin's Galleria Sabauda for safeguarding.
Further investigation revealed over 90 artworks had been shipped using non-specialist transport, with pieces traced to homes, galleries, and private collections in Genoa, Milan, Germany, and the UK. Several had already been sold abroad.
Spain's Ministry of Culture will now decide the future of the works. A restitution ceremony was held on 3 July in Turin, attended by officials from Spain and Italy, highlighting continued cooperation in cultural heritage protection.
Source: www.surinenglish.com
