Statue of Mary Beheaded on Ischia in Repeated Vandalism
As reported on 16 August 2026, a roadside statue of the Virgin Mary in Panza on the Italian island of Ischia was found beheaded. The religious statue had already been targeted by vandals twice before, making this the third reported act of vandalism against the shrine. The repeated attacks caused outrage among local residents, while a local association said that someone in the community appeared unwilling to accept its religious symbols.
On 16 August 2026, it was reported that unknown perpetrators had beheaded the statue of the Virgin Mary at the Madonna della Pelara shrine in Panza, on the island of Ischia. The statue is located along the coastal path leading to Pelara Bay and has longstanding religious and local significance.
The latest incident marked the third reported act of vandalism against the same statue. According to local reports, the statue disappeared in 2023 and was vandalised again in May 2025 before being found decapitated in August 2026.
Following the latest attack, the local Pro Loco Panza association stressed the repeated nature of the incidents, stating: “This is the third time it's happened; it's no longer an accident or a prank. There are some in our community who don't accept our symbols. This is the bitter reality.” The association announced that the statue would once again be restored.
Sources: napoli repubblica, napolitoday, spzh
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