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If you’ve ever dreamed of having your own castle, now’s your chance. Italy is giving away 103 run-down properties, including villas, inns, and castles for free. That means anyone can start building their personal versions of Winterfell, Casterly Rock, or The Pyke.
However, there’s just one catch. The country’s State Property Agency expects anyone who gets a free castle (or any other of the 103 objects) to commit to restoring it so it can be used as a tourist destination. Whether the property becomes a hotel, spa, restaurant, or something else is up to the new owner to decide.
“The project will promote and support the development of the slow tourism sector,” Roberto Reggi from the State Property Agency told The Local. “The goal is for private and public buildings which are no longer used to be transformed into facilities for pilgrims, hikers, tourists, and cyclists.” Authorities also hope this plan will relieve some of the strain on the country’s most popular and overcrowded areas (like Venice).
The deadline for applications is June 26. Successful applicants will get an initial nine-year period to work on their project, with the possibility of extending it for another nine years afterwards. If, however, your application is denied, don’t worry – Italy plans to give out 200 objects the same way within the next two years.
More info: agenziademanio.it (h/t: hellogiggles, thelocal)
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If you’ve ever dreamed of having your own castle, now’s your chance
Image credits: lianem/123RF
Italy is giving away 103 run-down properties, including villas, inns, and castles for free
Image credits: Andrea Pistolesi/Getty Images
But there’s one catch
Image credits: Gennaro Leonardi
The country’s State Property Agency expects anyone who gets a free castle (or any other of the 103 objects) to commit to restoring it
Image credits: Luca D’Ambra
Whether the property becomes a hotel, spa, restaurant, or something else is up to the new owner to decide
Image credits: Stefano Viaggio
“The project will promote and support the development of the slow tourism sector,” Roberto Reggi from the State Property Agency says
Image credits: MattC77
“The goal is for private and public buildings which are no longer used to be transformed into facilities for tourists”
Image credits: Iris van Wolferen
Authorities also hope this plan will relieve some of the strain on the country’s most popular and overcrowded areas (like Venice)
Image credits: Iris van Wolferen
The deadline for applications is June 26, and if, however, your application is denied, don’t worry – Italy plans to give out 200 objects the same way within the next two years
Image credits: TuAnh Nguyen
What do you think ?
it-ta 7 years ago
I'm italian, you will not be the new owner. It's a free concession for 9 years, renewable for other 9. You also have to be under 40.
Jessica Kennedy 7 years ago
Because there are a ton of millionaires who are under 40? I get the "death before end of contract" thing but seriously there are FEW that can afford to start businesses in Italy after completely renovating a castle for a few million, perhaps billion dollars only to return it to the government after 18 years... doesn't sound like a good return on your investment from a fiscal standpoint.
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Jhoa 7 years ago
It's a neat idea; lessens the cost for people interested (instead of having to buy the castle and fund the restoration, they only have to restore it). I'm not sure if I like the idea of them being 'repurposed' that way, though. I really hope that people who take these castles are truly into castles, and not just business, and keep the buildings the same as they were, rebuilding them like they used to be.
Respsleep Berens 7 years ago
Their expensive to restore they look at proof of funds and plans
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it-ta 7 years ago
I'm italian, you will not be the new owner. It's a free concession for 9 years, renewable for other 9. You also have to be under 40.
Jessica Kennedy 7 years ago
Because there are a ton of millionaires who are under 40? I get the "death before end of contract" thing but seriously there are FEW that can afford to start businesses in Italy after completely renovating a castle for a few million, perhaps billion dollars only to return it to the government after 18 years... doesn't sound like a good return on your investment from a fiscal standpoint.
Load More Replies... Jhoa 7 years ago
It's a neat idea; lessens the cost for people interested (instead of having to buy the castle and fund the restoration, they only have to restore it). I'm not sure if I like the idea of them being 'repurposed' that way, though. I really hope that people who take these castles are truly into castles, and not just business, and keep the buildings the same as they were, rebuilding them like they used to be.
Respsleep Berens 7 years ago
Their expensive to restore they look at proof of funds and plans
Load More Replies... 
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