Dispute Over David

There is a current dispute over the ownership of Michelangelo's statue of the David, sculpted over three years and completed in 1503. The statue is currently in the Accademia museum in Florence and has been there since 1873 for preservation purposes. The statue is of course, one of the most prominent symbols of Florence and was sculpted by the genius Michelangelo when he was only 29 years old.

Matteo Renzi, the mayor of Florence, and Cristina Acidini, Superintendent of the organisation which controls the state museums in Florence, are battling it out with Sandro Bondi, the minister of the cultural heritage of Italy.

The former say that the statue was done by a Florentine for the Florentines and therefore it belongs to Florence whereas the latter says that the government should get a higher percentage of the return of revenue from the statue seeing as it is the government who has spent money on preserving, maintaining and protecting it. 'David' is said to bring in a total of 12% of the total tourist revenue for the city and an estimated $10 million every year.

Maternity in Florence

With all the shock stories in the news lately of tragedies during labour in different areas of Italy, it is becoming apparent that Florence has one of the best maternity healthcare programs in Italy and perhaps even in the world!

The latest case to shock Italy has resulted in a newborn in a coma in a hospital in Messina, Sicily, after an apparent argument between doctors in the delivery room. This is just a week after a mother died after a C-section in Calabria where there should have been no complications.

During this current climate there have been studies into the health service on offer for expecting mothers and Florence has come up at the top of the list. The 'Margherita' Natural Birthing Centre, which is part of Careggi hospital, has been noted for its high standards. You do have to have a perfect pregnancy to be accepted but the whole experience is natural and complete with birthing toys, a bath tub and a double bed in the private room where the father of the baby can sleep next to the mother and baby.

Marathon for Life

Coming up at the end of this month is the 'Corri la Vita' marathon, which has taken place each year since the first race seven years ago. There will be two marathons this year, one will be a 12 km competitive run and the other will be a non-competitive walk of 5.7 km. Both Florentines and visitors will take part in order to raise money for breast cancer research and to support women who suffer from the disease.

The walk will actually take a course through the historical centre which will include stops at places that are not normally open to the public, including churches, gardens, museums and places of historical interest.

Around 20,000 people are expected to participate and each participant will be given a t-shirt by Ferragamo. The event is also sponsored by La Perla.