Giuli compra tutto! Il Ministero della Cultura vuole prendersi anche Il Teatro delle Vittorie di Roma e Palazzo Labia a Venezia?
Italian Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli is pursuing an aggressive acquisition campaign for cultural properties. After high-profile purchases including Antonello da Messina's *Ecce Homo* and Caravaggio's *Portrait of Monsignor Maffeo Barberini* (€30 million), the Ministry has now expressed interest in acquiring Rome's Teatro delle Vittorie and Venice's Palazzo Labia—both part of a real estate portfolio being sold by state broadcaster Rai. The Ministry also recently bought Verona's historic Cinema Astra (with a €7.5 million restoration plan) and Naples' Teatro Sannazzaro after a fire.
This buying spree matters because it signals a major shift in Italian cultural heritage policy, with the state directly acquiring commercial entertainment venues and historic palaces to preserve them as public cultural assets. The moves come amid political controversy surrounding Giuli's ministry, including a power struggle with Biennale president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco and the revocation of key staff appointments. The acquisitions raise questions about the government's priorities and budget allocation for cultural heritage at a time when the ministry faces criticism over its management and direction.