Louvre Museum Closes Campana Gallery Due to Structural Concerns
The Louvre Museum in Paris has announced the temporary closure of its Campana Gallery, which houses Greek ceramics across nine rooms. The closure is a precautionary measure taken as engineers investigate structural weaknesses, specifically concerning "certain beams supporting the floors."
Maintenance and Security Under Scrutiny
This decision follows recent scrutiny regarding maintenance and security at the institution. A significant jewel heist occurred last month, resulting in the theft of €88 million worth of jewels. Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the theft, though the stolen items have not been recovered.
Three weeks after the heist, a report by the Court of Auditors, covering the period 2018-2024, criticized the museum's management. The report highlighted that €105.4 million was spent on acquiring new artworks and €63.5 million on exhibition spaces, while only €26.7 million was allocated for general maintenance works and €59.5 million for the restoration of the palace building.
Heist Details and Subsequent Actions
The jewel theft occurred at approximately 09:30 GMT when suspects used a stolen vehicle-mounted mechanical lift to access the Galerie d'Apollon via a balcony. A disc cutter was employed to open display cases. Prosecutors stated the thieves were inside for four minutes before escaping on scooters. One crown was dropped during the escape; seven other jewels remain missing. Individuals arrested in connection with the incident have been identified as petty criminals.
In response to the theft, security measures have been tightened across French cultural institutions. The Louvre has also transferred some of its most precious jewels to the Bank of France for enhanced safekeeping.