By William Stolerman
A host of Italian treasures ranging from historic palaces to gorgeous beaches are being sold by the Italian government. It forms part of their effort to tackle their mounting national debt – in the region of £1.18 trillion and rising.
About 9,000 items worth an estimated £3 billion will be up for grabs, including the Caprera island chain (above). Part of the La Maddelana archipelago located off the north-east coast of Sardinia, they are inhabited mainly by goats, cover 45 miles of coastline and draw scuba divers from around the world. It is on sale for £15 million.
Meanwhile, the Villa Giulia museum built by Pope Julius III on the outskirts of Rome will also be sold - though it is not yet clear whether the objects inside will also be offloaded.
The former residence of the ancient kings of Sicily, a 900-year-old Norman palace in Palermo (above) is on the market for £80 million, as is a beach in Lake Como and some real estate along the Dolomite mountain chain on the border with Austria (below). The opportunities are mind-boggling.
The idea is the brainchild of Italy's separatist Northern League, part of the ruling centre-Right coalition. The 'national treasures' will first be offered to local and regional councils who can then sell them over the internet.
A spokesman for the Agenzia del Demanio (the government agency that controls the national treasures) said: "The complete list is still being drawn up but a provisional one has been made available to regional and local councils. The full list will be posted online at the end of July."
The plan has stoked a fire of controversy, highlighted by Stefano Delpieri of Friends of the Earth in Sardinia, who said: "This is madness. These places are all protected areas and if they are sold off there will be development on them."
An extraordinary sale and an extraordinary future awaits some of Italy's most prized possessions.
Via [dailymail]
www.agenziademanio.it