Latest news with #Zuchtriegel
Observer
23-07-2025
- Observer
Italy receives back ancient mosaic stolen during WWII
A two-millennia-old mosaic, which was stolen by a member of the Nazi armed forces, has been returned to Italy more than 80 years after the end of World War II. The piece will now be displayed on the site of the ancient city of Pompeii near Naples, which was buried in the year 79 AD during an eruption of Mount Vesuvius, the director of the museum site, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, said. 'Every returned stolen artefact is like a wound that heals,' Zuchtriegel, a German national, said. The intricately crafted piece depicts a man and a woman. According to the museum, the mosaic most likely originates from the region around the volcano and may have once adorned the floor of a bedroom. It is believed to have been created in the first century BC or AD. According to the Carabinieri Police Force for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, the mosaic probably came into the 'wrongful possession' of the Wehrmacht member during the German occupation. The soldier gifted it to a German. His heirs approached the Italian state to return the mosaic. They said that the Wehrmacht member was an officer, the Carabinieri spokesman said. Documents regarding the theft, the gifting, names, or similar have not yet been found, he said. The mosaic was brought back to Italy in September 2023 through the Italian Consulate General in the south-western German city of Stuttgart. After the armistice between Italy and the Allies in September 1943, the German Wehrmacht occupied large parts of the country. The approximately 20-month occupation period was marked by violence. At the same time, numerous art and cultural objects disappeared from public collections or archaeological sites. — dpa
The Advertiser
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Ancient mosaic stolen during WWII returned to Pompeii
A two-millennia-old mosaic, which was stolen by a Nazi officer has been returned to Italy more than 80 years after the end of World War II. The piece will now be displayed on the site of the ancient city of Pompeii near Naples, which was buried in the year 79 AD during an eruption of Mount Vesuvius, the director of the museum site, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, said. "Every returned stolen artefact is like a wound that heals," Zuchtriegel said The intricately crafted piece depicts a man and a woman in Roman attire in a bedroom in an intimate pose. According to the museum, the mosaic most likely originates from the region around the volcano and may have once adorned the floor of a bedroom. It is believed to have been created in the first century BC or AD. According to the Carabinieri Police Force for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, the mosaic probably came into the "wrongful possession" of the Wehrmacht member during the German occupation. The German officer gifted the piece to a civilian, who kept it until his death. His heirs, realising its origin, contacted the Italian authorities to arrange its return. Documents regarding the theft, the gifting, names, or similar have not yet been found, a Carabinieri spokesman said. A two-millennia-old mosaic, which was stolen by a Nazi officer has been returned to Italy more than 80 years after the end of World War II. The piece will now be displayed on the site of the ancient city of Pompeii near Naples, which was buried in the year 79 AD during an eruption of Mount Vesuvius, the director of the museum site, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, said. "Every returned stolen artefact is like a wound that heals," Zuchtriegel said The intricately crafted piece depicts a man and a woman in Roman attire in a bedroom in an intimate pose. According to the museum, the mosaic most likely originates from the region around the volcano and may have once adorned the floor of a bedroom. It is believed to have been created in the first century BC or AD. According to the Carabinieri Police Force for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, the mosaic probably came into the "wrongful possession" of the Wehrmacht member during the German occupation. The German officer gifted the piece to a civilian, who kept it until his death. His heirs, realising its origin, contacted the Italian authorities to arrange its return. Documents regarding the theft, the gifting, names, or similar have not yet been found, a Carabinieri spokesman said. A two-millennia-old mosaic, which was stolen by a Nazi officer has been returned to Italy more than 80 years after the end of World War II. The piece will now be displayed on the site of the ancient city of Pompeii near Naples, which was buried in the year 79 AD during an eruption of Mount Vesuvius, the director of the museum site, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, said. "Every returned stolen artefact is like a wound that heals," Zuchtriegel said The intricately crafted piece depicts a man and a woman in Roman attire in a bedroom in an intimate pose. According to the museum, the mosaic most likely originates from the region around the volcano and may have once adorned the floor of a bedroom. It is believed to have been created in the first century BC or AD. According to the Carabinieri Police Force for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, the mosaic probably came into the "wrongful possession" of the Wehrmacht member during the German occupation. The German officer gifted the piece to a civilian, who kept it until his death. His heirs, realising its origin, contacted the Italian authorities to arrange its return. Documents regarding the theft, the gifting, names, or similar have not yet been found, a Carabinieri spokesman said. A two-millennia-old mosaic, which was stolen by a Nazi officer has been returned to Italy more than 80 years after the end of World War II. The piece will now be displayed on the site of the ancient city of Pompeii near Naples, which was buried in the year 79 AD during an eruption of Mount Vesuvius, the director of the museum site, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, said. "Every returned stolen artefact is like a wound that heals," Zuchtriegel said The intricately crafted piece depicts a man and a woman in Roman attire in a bedroom in an intimate pose. According to the museum, the mosaic most likely originates from the region around the volcano and may have once adorned the floor of a bedroom. It is believed to have been created in the first century BC or AD. According to the Carabinieri Police Force for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, the mosaic probably came into the "wrongful possession" of the Wehrmacht member during the German occupation. The German officer gifted the piece to a civilian, who kept it until his death. His heirs, realising its origin, contacted the Italian authorities to arrange its return. Documents regarding the theft, the gifting, names, or similar have not yet been found, a Carabinieri spokesman said.
Euronews
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Erotic mosaic stolen by Nazi captain returns to Pompeii
An erotic-themed mosaic from the Roman era was returned to the Archaeological Park of Pompeii on Tuesday, after being stolen by a Nazi German captain during World War II. The artwork was repatriated from Germany through diplomatic channels. It was arranged by the Italian Consulate in Stuttgart having been returned from the heirs of the last owner, a deceased German citizen. The owner had received the mosaic as a gift from a Wehrmacht captain, assigned to the military supply chain in Italy during the war. The heirs of the mosaic's last owner in Germany contacted the Carabinieri unit in Rome that's dedicated to protecting cultural heritage, which was in charge of the investigation, asking for information on how to return the mosaic to the Italian state. Authorities carried out the necessary checks to establish its authenticity and provenance, and then worked to repatriate the mosaic in September 2023. The mosaic - dating between mid- to last century B.C. and the first century - is considered a work of 'extraordinary cultural interest.' 'It is the moment when the theme of domestic love becomes an artistic subject,' said Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii and co-author of an essay dedicated to the returned work. 'While the Hellenistic period, from the fourth to the first century B.C., exulted the passion of mythological and heroic figures, now we see a new theme." The collaboration with the Archaeological Park of Pompeii was also key, as it made it possible to trace it to near the Mount Vesuvius volcano, despite the scarcity of data on the original context of its discovery, the Carabinieri said. 'Today's return is like healing an open wound,' Zuchtriegel said, adding that the mosaic allows to reconstruct the story of that period, the first century A.D., before Pompeii was destroyed by the Vesuvius eruption in A.D. 79. The park's director also highlighted how the return by the heirs of its owner signals an important change in 'mentality,' as 'the sense of possession (of stolen art) becomes a heavy burden' - referring to the so-called 'Pompeii curse,' which according to a popular superstition hits whoever steals artifacts in Pompeii. 'We see that often in the many letters we receive from people who may have stolen just a stone, to bring home a piece of Pompeii.'
New York Post
15-07-2025
- General
- New York Post
Roman-era mosaic panel with erotic theme that was stolen during World War II returns to Pompeii
A mosaic panel on travertine slabs, depicting an erotic theme from the Roman era, was returned to the archaeological park of Pompeii on Tuesday, after being stolen by a Nazi German captain during World War II. The artwork was repatriated from Germany through diplomatic channels, arranged by the Italian Consulate in Stuttgart, Germany, after having been returned from the heirs of the last owner, a deceased German citizen. The owner had received the mosaic as a gift from a Wehrmacht captain, assigned to the military supply chain in Italy during the war. 5 The artwork was repatriated from Germany through diplomatic channels, arranged by the Italian Consulate. via REUTERS 5 The owner had received the mosaic as a gift from a Wehrmacht captain, assigned to the military supply chain in Italy during the war. AP The mosaic — dating between mid- to last century B.C. and the first century — is considered a work of 'extraordinary cultural interest,' experts said. 'It is the moment when the theme of domestic love becomes an artistic subject,' said Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii and co-author of an essay dedicated to the returned work. 'While the Hellenistic period, from the fourth to the first century B.C., exulted the passion of mythological and heroic figures, now we see a new theme.' The heirs of the mosaic's last owner in Germany contacted the Carabinieri unit in Rome that's dedicated to protecting cultural heritage, which was in charge of the investigation, asking for information on how to return the mosaic to the Italian state. Authorities carried out the necessary checks to establish its authenticity and provenance, and then worked to repatriate the mosaic in September 2023. The collaboration with the Archaeological Park of Pompeii was also key, as it made it possible to trace it to near the Mount Vesuvius volcano, despite the scarcity of data on the original context of its discovery, the Carabinieri said. The panel was then assigned to the Archaeological Park of Pompeii where, suitably catalogued, it will be protected and available for educational and research purposes. 'Today's return is like healing an open wound,' Zuchtriegel said, adding that the mosaic allows to reconstruct the story of that period, the first century A.D., before Pompeii was destroyed by the Vesuvius eruption in A.D. 79. 5 The mosaic — dating between mid- to last century B.C. and the first century — is considered a work of 'extraordinary cultural interest,' experts said. via REUTERS 5 The heirs of the mosaic's last owner in Germany contacted the Carabinieri unit in Rome that's dedicated to protecting cultural heritage. AP The park's director also highlighted how the return by the heirs of its owner signals an important change in 'mentality,' as 'the sense of possession (of stolen art) becomes a heavy burden.' 'We see that often in the many letters we receive from people who may have stolen just a stone, to bring home a piece of Pompeii,' Zuchtriegel said. He recalled the so-called 'Pompeii curse,' which according to a popular superstition hits whoever steals artifacts in Pompeii. 5 The panel was assigned to the Archaeological Park of Pompeii where it will be protected and available for educational and research purposes. AP The world-known legend suggests that those who steal finds from the ancient city of Pompeii will experience bad luck or misfortune. That has been fueled over the years by several tourists who return stolen items, claiming they brought them bad luck and caused tragic events.
Hindustan Times
15-07-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Roman era mosaic panel with erotic theme that was stolen during World War II returns to Pompeii
POMPEII, Italy — A mosaic panel on travertine slabs, depicting an erotic theme from the Roman era, was returned to the archaeological park of Pompeii on Tuesday, after being stolen by a Nazi German captain during World War II. Roman era mosaic panel with erotic theme that was stolen during World War II returns to Pompeii The artwork was repatriated from Germany through diplomatic channels, arranged by the Italian Consulate in Stuttgart, Germany, after having been returned from the heirs of the last owner, a deceased German citizen. The owner had received the mosaic as a gift from a Wehrmacht captain, assigned to the military supply chain in Italy during the war. The mosaic — dating between mid- to last century B.C. and the first century — is considered a work of 'extraordinary cultural interest,' experts said. 'It is the moment when the theme of domestic love becomes an artistic subject,' said Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii and co-author of an essay dedicated to the returned work. 'While the Hellenistic period, from the fourth to the first century B.C., exulted the passion of mythological and heroic figures, now we see a new theme." The heirs of the mosaic's last owner in Germany contacted the Carabinieri unit in Rome that's dedicated to protecting cultural heritage, which was in charge of the investigation, asking for information on how to return the mosaic to the Italian state. Authorities carried out the necessary checks to establish its authenticity and provenance, and then worked to repatriate the mosaic in September 2023. The collaboration with the Archaeological Park of Pompeii was also key, as it made it possible to trace it to near the Mount Vesuvius volcano, despite the scarcity of data on the original context of its discovery, the Carabinieri said. The panel was then assigned to the Archaeological Park of Pompeii where, suitably catalogued, it will be protected and available for educational and research purposes. 'Today's return is like healing an open wound,' Zuchtriegel said, adding that the mosaic allows to reconstruct the story of that period, the first century A.D., before Pompeii was destroyed by the Vesuvius eruption in A.D. 79. The park's director also highlighted how the return by the heirs of its owner signals an important change in 'mentality,' as 'the sense of possession becomes a heavy burden.' 'We see that often in the many letters we receive from people who may have stolen just a stone, to bring home a piece of Pompeii,' Zuchtriegel said. He recalled the so-called 'Pompeii curse,' which according to a popular superstition hits whoever steals artifacts in Pompeii. The world-known legend suggests that those who steal finds from the ancient city of Pompeii will experience bad luck or misfortune. That has been fueled over the years by several tourists who return stolen items, claiming they brought them bad luck and caused tragic events. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
