If you’ve always dreamed to have a holiday home in Italy, but that you could not afford it, now you may be in luck. The Italian government gives away historic castles and villas, totally free. A total of 103 buildings across the country, the government wants to give to the people who can and will save them not to be turned into ruins. Potential owners must commit to transform objects and their environment into something that will encourage tourism.
Buildings and parts of the property on which they are located, in such a way may be transformed into hotels, restaurants, shops, spa facilities and luxurious villas.
This is also a great opportunity for those who have money to quit their jobs, get an excellent facility for free and start a new potentially very lucrative business. It is also an opportunity for the state to promote the development of tourism and other parts of the country, except those already well known.
The aim is to public and private buildings that are no longer used, transform into a objects for history lovers, hikers, tourists and cyclists, and in order to promote and support the development of slow tourism sector.
Buildings that are on offer are scattered across the country and in remote areas. Among them are the old schools, monasteries, castles and towers to the defense, with views of the coast and the rural landscape.
Who wants the castle for free, should submit a proposal which defines plans for its transformation.
The new property owners will each be given a nine-year lease, with an option for it to be renewed for a further nine years, while those who demonstrate a more concrete restoration plan could be given a 50-year lease. It is unclear whether there is a limit to how many buildings can be claimed per owner.
One of the offered objects is Castello di Blera in Lazio, near Rome, large luxury family home of wealthy noble family from the 11th century, which houses many original medieval objects.