BARCELONA - With the economic crisis roiling Europe, fears have been growing among cultural observers that cash-strapped countries like Greece, Spain and Italy could sell cultural treasures to avert financial insolvency. In Spain these concerns were fanned in recent weeks after it emerged that Catalunya Caixa, a struggling savings bank that owns the Antoni Gaudi Barcelona masterpiece Casa Milà , could be forced to put that architectural jewel up for sale. There were even rumors that a Russian billionaire wanted to buy the building. But those fears have been allayed after the bank, which was temporarily taken over by the state after going bankrupt, announced last week that it would set up a special foundation to administer Casa Milà and to assure that it would not go to auction. Catalan culture officials said the foundation would have a budget of about 35 million euros, a big chunk of that derived from ticket sales to Casa Milà , a popular tourist destination.
With i ts undulating facade, cavelike balconies and colorful rooftop chimney park, Casa Milà - also known as La Pedrera (the Stone Quarry) - is one of the most imaginative houses in the history of architecture. A Unesco World Heritage Site, it is also a potent symbol of Catalonia and Spain. For many Spaniards selling it would be equivalent to France selling the Eiffel Tower or the United States selling the Statue of Liberty.
Crisis-hit countries across Europe have been considering selling off cultural landmarks to stay afloat. Italy recently announced plans to put 800 state-owned properties on the market. Mentioned among the possible buildings for sale is the 17th-century Palazzo Barberini in Rome, which houses the National Gallery of Ancient Art. Debt-choked Greece, meanwhile, has announced plans to sell islands and historic real estate, including the Tatoi Palace, the former Greek royal family's estate at the foot of Mount Parnitha.
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