#EU #Italy – The small statue known as the Madonnina della Pelara, standing along the scenic path leading to Baia della Pelara in the Panza area of Forio, was found decapitated this past weekend. Unknown perpetrators completely removed the head from the body in what local authorities and community groups described as the third targeted act of vandalism against the religious and civic symbol.
The Pro Loco Panza publicly denounced the incident shortly after the damage was discovered. In a statement shared on social media and reported by local outlets, the association said: “This is the third time that this has happened. It is no longer a chance occurrence or a prank. In our community there is someone who does not accept our symbols. This is the bitter reality.” Officials from the Pro Loco emphasized that the repeated attacks could no longer be dismissed as isolated bravado.
The statue had been installed years earlier not merely as a religious ornament but as a deliberate sign of gratitude. Volunteers had previously worked to recover, secure, and reopen the ancient trail that descends from the upper part of the territory toward the sea, restoring public access to one of the island’s most suggestive natural inlets on the southwestern coast. The Madonnina was placed along the path to commemorate that collective effort of territorial care and to serve as a lasting reminder of the community’s commitment to preserving the area for residents and visitors alike.
Previous incidents had already tested the resolve of local volunteers. In February 2023 the statue disappeared entirely and was later recovered and reinstalled. It suffered further damage around May 2025. On both earlier occasions the Pro Loco arranged for repairs and returned the figure to its original position. Following the latest attack, the association once again pledged to restore the statue. “We will put it back,” representatives stated. “The Madonnina della Pelara stands there to remember a gesture of care for the territory, and it will continue to do so.”
News of the decapitation spread quickly across the island and online, prompting widespread expressions of indignation among residents and the faithful. Many described the act as an outrage against both a religious emblem and a symbol of civic stewardship. As of the reports published in the days that followed, no suspects had been identified, and investigations into the identity and motives of those responsible remained ongoing.
The Baia della Pelara path, long valued as one of the island’s more picturesque natural routes, continued to draw attention in the aftermath, with the damaged statue serving as a stark reminder of the challenges facing efforts to protect local heritage and shared public spaces.
Cover Image: the statue found decapitated this past weekend.
