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Italy Is Giving Away Old Castles For Free, And Here’s How You Can Get One
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)
RELATED:
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 8 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 8 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 8 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 8 years ago
Their expensive to restore they look at proof of funds and plans
Load More Replies...
Alien Wilson 8 years ago
Whoever does this must be rich and a philanthropist. It's going to cost hundred of thousands if not millions of dollars. A lot of these places are inaccessible and you would have to build roads or rebuild them just to get supplies in to do the work. You'd have to have access to a quarry to mill the missing and cracked stone. They won't have plumbing or electricity so you'll have to put that in to modernize. Then once you get all that done you'll have spend a ton more money on maintenance and care-taking. People that can afford to do something like this can already afford a castle or chalet that's already renovated. But the worst part is that once you are done and have spend a ton of money on the project, you have to give it back to Italy. You'll never own it. Total rip off and it cracks me up the amount of people who want to do it. I'm guessing those people don't have the money. Because millionaires probably don't waste time on bored panda.
Riccardo Gabarrini 8 years ago
These are the actual photos http://www.agenziademanio.it/export/download/demanio/sala_stampa/SCHEDE-BENI-2017.pdf Moreover you won't be able to rent them to a lot of tourist, just to a few bike enthusiasts.
lemontzz aide 8 years ago
1st question to ask here is WHY? As stated, it's because they are real old & real run down. Otherwise these architectural, historical gems (!!) would NOT be given away! Sooo you do the work & 'they' recover it years from now ... This isn't easy or viable. Its an idea - the romantic IDEA of having a castle. It reminds me of those ads claiming that you can "make a gallizon $$$$ in a month with this" plan/product or service. Notice anything? No great number of people throughout the world has money to live even just above 'average'. Its hard or everyone would benefit! This castle venture seems like one big headache to me - the average home under a major renovation is a costly headache ... could you imagine this? The 'cost of past GRANDEUR' within the context of today's global economy? Yup & you don't get to keep it for 'your'own generation to come' :o Smart.
Vincent Jay 8 years ago
Some of the inside shots are beautiful despite the mild decay. If I had the big bucks, I'd probably go for a deal like this.
it-ta 8 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 8 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 8 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 8 years ago
Their expensive to restore they look at proof of funds and plans
Load More Replies... Alien Wilson 8 years ago
Whoever does this must be rich and a philanthropist. It's going to cost hundred of thousands if not millions of dollars. A lot of these places are inaccessible and you would have to build roads or rebuild them just to get supplies in to do the work. You'd have to have access to a quarry to mill the missing and cracked stone. They won't have plumbing or electricity so you'll have to put that in to modernize. Then once you get all that done you'll have spend a ton more money on maintenance and care-taking. People that can afford to do something like this can already afford a castle or chalet that's already renovated. But the worst part is that once you are done and have spend a ton of money on the project, you have to give it back to Italy. You'll never own it. Total rip off and it cracks me up the amount of people who want to do it. I'm guessing those people don't have the money. Because millionaires probably don't waste time on bored panda.
Riccardo Gabarrini 8 years ago
These are the actual photos http://www.agenziademanio.it/export/download/demanio/sala_stampa/SCHEDE-BENI-2017.pdf Moreover you won't be able to rent them to a lot of tourist, just to a few bike enthusiasts.
lemontzz aide 8 years ago
1st question to ask here is WHY? As stated, it's because they are real old & real run down. Otherwise these architectural, historical gems (!!) would NOT be given away! Sooo you do the work & 'they' recover it years from now ... This isn't easy or viable. Its an idea - the romantic IDEA of having a castle. It reminds me of those ads claiming that you can "make a gallizon $$$$ in a month with this" plan/product or service. Notice anything? No great number of people throughout the world has money to live even just above 'average'. Its hard or everyone would benefit! This castle venture seems like one big headache to me - the average home under a major renovation is a costly headache ... could you imagine this? The 'cost of past GRANDEUR' within the context of today's global economy? Yup & you don't get to keep it for 'your'own generation to come' :o Smart.
Vincent Jay 8 years ago
Some of the inside shots are beautiful despite the mild decay. If I had the big bucks, I'd probably go for a deal like this.
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