Your Italian Dream for a Few Pennies More

Italy’s government decided to get rid of undesirable assets. They include land and buildings that are not deemed necessary to running the Republic in a cost efficient way. The sale will start end of this months. Keep your eyes open for a few bargains. 

Italy’s government has decided that the current debt level of 1.18 trillion Euros is no longer sustainable for the country. They plan to sell off 9,000 objects owned by the state to raise a total amount of 3 billion. That would significantly reduce the national debt to 1.177 trillion. I’m impressed.

Here are some of the discards that you might want to get for a few pennies more:

The Island Santo Stefano

The deserted Island of Santo Stefano lies west of Naples in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The price tag is set at about 5 million Euros. The price includes the only building on the island. It is a prison built by King Ferdinand IV of Naples in 1795 to get rid of criminals such as republicans, liberals, and other riffraff.

The Beach of Caprera

The Island of Caprera is near Sardinia. Its beach has been voted the sexiest beach of the world in 2007 and it comes with a price tag of about 15 million Euros. The island belonged to Giuseppe Garibaldi who is credited with unifying Italy in the 19th century. He lived on the island after his retirement and is buried there. The island forms part of the Maddalena National Park.

The Mountain Rotwand

The Mountain Rotwand forms part of the Dolomite Mountains in the German (or more correctly Allemannic) speaking part of Italy, the Tyrol. In Italian it is called Croda Rossa, but the locals call it usually ‘Ten’. This refers to its location in the mountain sun dial of Sexten (Sesto) where it marks the spot for ten o’clock. The price tag is set around 3 million Euros.

The Villa Giulia in Rome

The Villa Giulia was built by Pope Julius III in the 16th century as a private summer residence. After the death of Julius III, the villa with its grounds was confiscated by his successor Pope Paul IV. Since 1889, it houses the Museum for Etruscan Art. It is doubtful that the price tag of 20 million Euro will include the artwork. But you may always ask.

The Royal Palace in Palermo

The Palace of the Normans was built under King Roger II of Sicily in the 12th century in Palermo. At that time, Sicily was the richest kingdom in Europe and the palace is still one of the most beautiful in the world. For a mere 80 million Euros you will acquire a descent holiday cottage at the best address in Palermo. The property might be in need of some updating though it was of the highest standard 900 years ago.

It is obvious that the 9,000 objects coming up for sale offer a great potential for redevelopment. Fiddling the laws is really all that is needed. They represent the wish list of a certain building and development conglomerate belonging to fascist Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi which is pure coincidence. That the total price tag of 3 billion is within easy reach of Berlusconi can be nothing other than the will of God. Wouldn’t you agree? 

Further reading
Emperor Frederick II: A Model Ruler?
Cosmati Mosaics: Recycled Art
How Money Came to Dominate Our Lives