Who owns Michelangelo's David - Italy or Florence?

[cbdo2007]

From Hada Messia, CNN August 16, 2010 4:32 p.m. EDT

Rome, Italy (CNN) -- The city of Florence and the Italian government are embroiled in a dispute -- again -- over who owns one of the world's most famous statues, Michelangelo's David.

The issue has been simmering for years. The Florence mayor's office said the debate began in the early 1990, and the city's various mayors have brought it up from time to time.

It's mainly about the bottom line -- some 8 million euros a year in ticket sales at Florence's La Galleria dell'Accademia, also simply known as L'Accademia or the Accademia Gallery, where David is displayed. That money, however, goes to the Italian government, and not the city.

Florence Mayor Matteo Renzi recently asked that David's earnings go to Florence instead, because "after all, the David is ours,"' said one of his press officers.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/08/16/italy.david/index.html?hpt=C2

[BillStein]

1. As a Philadelphian,

Take our Rocky statue.... please

[MilesColtrane]

2. In a sense, like all great are, it is owned by all humanity.

I suppose someone must be its steward though.

[Aristus]

3. Second.

It's a cultural treasure. It belongs to all of humanity.

[dr.strangelove]

4. It belongs to the City of Florence

The governing entity, which at the time was a City State, commissioned and paid for it. I like the notion that it belongs to us all, but its really just a piece of rock that someone bought. I understand Italy's legal theory that it is the real subsequent entity, but I think its the City's.

[elleng]

5. 'just a piece of rock' NOT!!!

[whistler162]

6. I do... bought it from the owner one Sunday night at a local

bar! I'm just letting the Florencians borrow it.