Michelangelo's 'David' may move in Florence makeover
ROME (AFP) — The City of Florence is mulling a plan to move Michelangelo's "David" as part of plans to ease crowding in the historic centre of the tourist mecca, Mayor Leonardo Domenici said Thursday.
Florence authorities are considering moving the iconic statue from the Accademia Gallery to a western district in order to decongest the centre of the Renaissance city, he told a news conference in Rome.
The makeover includes the construction of three tram lines including one that will pass by the Duomo, the Tuscan city's famous cathedral, he said.
The relocation of "David" from the spot where it has stood since 1873 would not take place "in the near future," Domenici said, noting that a music complex that would house it is under construction and set for completion in 2010 at the earliest.
A regional cultural councillor, Paolo Cocchi, has submitted a proposal to Culture Minister Francesco Rutelli to move the Michelangelo masterpiece sculpted from 1501 to 1504, the Italian daily La Repubblica reported on Wednesday.
Florence attracts some 11 million tourists each year.
