During 2023, the Carabinieri Cultural Heritage Protection Unit (TPC) of Monza demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the protection and safeguarding of our artistic heritage. Their investigative activities have led to extraordinary results, reporting well 74 people involved in various crimes. The Unit seized a total of 15,923 antiquarian, archival and book assets, 555 archaeological assets and 590 paleontological finds. This was possible thanks to incessant and meticulous work which saw the Carabinieri engaged in numerous operations, including inspections of museums, libraries, archives and archaeological areas, as well as checks in antiquarian and commercial businesses.
Lombardy, rich in art and culture, has benefited from the tireless work of the Monza TPC Unit. The collaboration with the territorial army departments, the Superintendencies, the Dioceses and private foundations was fundamental. Prevention was equally crucial, with over 2317 cultural assets subjected to photographic assessment through the LEONARDO database, a powerful investigative tool.
Significant events of 2023
Return of the stolen painting
An 18th century painting, depicting the lament over the dead Christ, stolen over twenty years ago from the Church of San Bernardo in Lainate, has been returned thanks to the tenacity of the TPC Unit of Monza. The Carabinieri traced the work through checks on e-commerce sites, thus returning a significant piece of its heritage to the community.
Return of Greek coins
Five ancient coins, dating back to between the 5th and 1st centuries BC, have been returned to the Greek Ambassador to Italy. These precious finds, testimony to the cultural richness of ancient Greece, were put up for sale online. The intervention of the Monza TPC Unit made it possible to recover and return these pieces of history.
Recovery of archaeological assets
Over a thousand archaeological finds have been recovered and returned to the Italian State. These goods, coming from clandestine excavations, included ancient coins, ceramic and metal artefacts, demonstrating the effectiveness of control operations on the antiques markets.
A commitment that crosses national borders
The Monza TPC Unit has also extended its operations abroad, participating in cultural heritage protection projects in Jordan, Lebanon and Mexico. Furthermore, it contributed to the safety of book and archival assets in Emilia Romagna, hit by calamitous events.
An integral part of the Unit’s activities was education on legality and the protection of cultural heritage. The meetings with students and citizens, also held as part of “Bergamo Brescia Capital of Culture 2023”, underlined the importance of preserving our historical heritage.
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