Sicilian temple not for sale 'even for 40 bln'

ANSA English ^ | January 5, 2012 | unattributed

[SunkenCiv]

Russian magnate Prokhorov reportedly wants to buy Temple of Zeus.

The mayor of the Sicilian city of Agrigento said Thursday that he would not sell one of Italy's prime archaeological treasures even for 40 billion euros after it reportedly attracted the interest of Russian industrialist Mikhail Prokhorov.

The precious-metals billionaire, who plans to run in this year's presidential elections in Russia as an independent candidate, has set his sights on buying the ruins of the Temple of Zeus in Agrigento's famed Valley of the Temples, according to media reports.

But Agrigento Mayor Marco Zambuto has moved to nip the notion in the bud.

"I wouldn't sell the Temple of Zeus even for 40 billion euros, the figure Premier Mario Monti had to find to save Italy's finances," Zambuto said referring to the government's austerity package, which was actually nearer to 30 billion.

"It's simply unthinkable that a billionaire could buy our historical wonders and take them to their own country".

Zambuto said, however, that the city was interested in attracting foreign investment in the UNESCO World Heritage site...

The seven Doric temples at Agrigento, most of which probably date from the fifth century BC, are one of the glories of Magna Graecia, a swathe of southern Italy which was once dotted with wealthy and culturally lavish Greek cities.

The name Valley of the Temples is misleading as the site is located on a ridge on the edge of Agrigento...

[SunkenCiv]

Ruins of the Zeus temple. July 2005. An Atlant at the feet of the Zeus temple. July 2005. [Joanna Molenda-Zakowicz]

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

I think Obama wants to buy it to use as the backdrop for the next ‘rat convention.

[dfwgator]

He’s gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.

[SunkenCiv]

GGG managers are SunkenCiv, StayAt HomeMother & Ernest_at_the_Beach	join list or digest view topics view or post blog bookmark post a topic subscribe
The area has six other ancient temples (another source sez 20), and I don't think most of them were ever finished. Some ancient civic leaders bit off a bit more than the whole town could chew. More pics of the Zeus temple here. To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list.

[SunkenCiv]

It took more than 30 minutes to post this topic, AND I made a typo. I’m going to bed. That was the shortest three-day weekend on record.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Thank you for posting and for the beautiful picture.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Temple Concordia

[miss marmelstein]

Thanks for posting! Several years ago my husband and I stayed in a hotel with a room that directly overlooked this masterpiece. It is flood-lit at night. The Sicilians are right to hold on to their history.

[Jacvin]

Cool pic

[jdsteel]

Let him buy it with the stipulation that it can not be moved or changed. If he still wants it, what is the problem? It would generate real estate tax, too.

[bravo whiskey]

maybe we can get him to buy the un and move it.

[SunkenCiv]

Best... idea... ever...

[SunkenCiv]

Be sure to click on the link to the original story, the gov’t official dumping on the idea did say they still want to explore some kind of sponsorship (i.e., donations of money to enrich the local corrupticos while claiming to be doing the needed conservation work) or other means to bring in the long green.

[SunkenCiv]

Nice!

[SunkenCiv]

LOL

[SunkenCiv]

My pleasure, and thanks for the kind remarks.

[combat_boots]

Gracie, Sicilia. Brava.

[SunkenCiv]

My pleasure. :’)

[Revolting cat!]

I’ll sell the Russian billionaire the historic Temple of the Universal Life Church right in my backyard, and I won’t charge him anything near 40 billion Euros!

[KamperKen]

Did you stay at the Hotel Athena, perhaps? I tried to spend the night there 13 years ago but all rooms were booked.

I remember well the hauntingly beautiful and dreamlike view at night of the floodlit temples that dotted the Valley of the Temples below Agrigento.