Monetary value of European monuments?
Aug 21, 2012 20:26:59 GMT
Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2012 20:26:59 GMT
An Italian study just evaluated the 'value' of the various monuments of Europe in terms of the economic value, socio-cultural value and tourist value, among others. I suppose the main idea is to figure out what such a monument would be worth if it were possible to sell it and locate it in another place.
Not too surprisingly, the Eiffel Tower comes out on top as the most visited paying monument in the world with more than 7 million visitors a year, 75% of whom come from foreign countries. It is evaluated at 434 billion euros, not materially but in terms of reputation.
The Colosseum in Rome is a distant second with a value of 91 billion euros. However, it is undergoing a major renovation next year, which should increase the value.
3rd is the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona with a value of 90 billion euros.
The Tower of London was evaluated at 70.5 billion euros, but this was before the Olympic games. It will almost certainly be re-evaluated at a higher figure soon.
The Prado Museum in Madrid comes in at 60 billion euros.
Stonehenge is evaluated at 10.5 billion euros.
Such figures intrigue me, because it is hard to determine the bullshit factor. Everything does indeed have a price these days, but how do you determine the price of something that will never be sold? In any case, all of these places keep the tourists coming, with their pockets full of money. I would also imagine that "ease of access" plays a huge factor in the value of a monument -- Paris has the privilege of being very central in this department.
Maybe all of this isn't as silly as it sounds with countries going bankrupt these days. If any country ever has to put something up as collateral, these places are pretty solid guarantees.
Not too surprisingly, the Eiffel Tower comes out on top as the most visited paying monument in the world with more than 7 million visitors a year, 75% of whom come from foreign countries. It is evaluated at 434 billion euros, not materially but in terms of reputation.
The Colosseum in Rome is a distant second with a value of 91 billion euros. However, it is undergoing a major renovation next year, which should increase the value.
3rd is the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona with a value of 90 billion euros.
The Tower of London was evaluated at 70.5 billion euros, but this was before the Olympic games. It will almost certainly be re-evaluated at a higher figure soon.
The Prado Museum in Madrid comes in at 60 billion euros.
Stonehenge is evaluated at 10.5 billion euros.
Such figures intrigue me, because it is hard to determine the bullshit factor. Everything does indeed have a price these days, but how do you determine the price of something that will never be sold? In any case, all of these places keep the tourists coming, with their pockets full of money. I would also imagine that "ease of access" plays a huge factor in the value of a monument -- Paris has the privilege of being very central in this department.
Maybe all of this isn't as silly as it sounds with countries going bankrupt these days. If any country ever has to put something up as collateral, these places are pretty solid guarantees.