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Looking For A Castle: Italy Is Giving Away Over 100 Castles For Free

Looking For A Castle: Italy Is Giving Away Over 100 Castles For Free

Would you like to live like the lord of the manor in your very own, free Italian castle? Silly question, right? But if you answered yes, you’re in luck! Italian officials are handing over more than 100 castles, monasteries, and farmhouses to all comers, completely free of charge.

In all, 103 ancient buildings are available to individuals who agree to renovate the properties into desirable tourist destinations. The unique initiative is the government’s latest attempt to regenerate the country’s beautiful but underused rural areas. The goal is to develop a new network of facilities for cyclists, hikers, and adventurous souls who venture into the countryside each year.

Related: Travel To Five Magnificent Castles in the USA – The Royal Experience!

In what might be called the ultimate DIY project, the government-run State Property Agency is offering these properties as a way of stimulating the Italian tourism industry.

The State Property Agency’s Roberto Reggi said, “The project will promote and support the development of the slow tourism sector … The goal is for private and public buildings which are no longer used to be transformed into facilities for pilgrims, hikers, tourists, and cyclists.”

All of the properties up for grabs are located along eight historic inland routes as well as on the islands of Sicily and Sardinia.

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The ambitious initiative is backed by the country’s Ministry of Tourism, ensuring that entrepreneurial applicants are on solid footing going into the project.


So, exactly how does one go about acquiring an exotic castle or historic monastery free of charge? It’s simple really, all it takes is an application and an enormous amount of creative resourcefulness!

The Ministry of Tourism requires all applicants to submit a renovation plan explaining their vision of how they’ll achieve their tourism make-over.

Related: Travel in England: Landmark Tour of Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Oxford

Applicants should take note however that the tourism ministry plans to give preference to candidates under the age of 40. Ageist? Maybe, but when they’re doling out free properties of epic historical value, they’re allowed to make the rules!

If you’re one of the lucky ones chosen to participate in the Italian government’s massive do-over project, you’ll receive the rights to your chosen property for nine years along with an option to extend your rights for nine more years.

Still interested in transforming a piece of Italian history, as well as your life? The application deadline is June 26, with the preliminary renovations expected to begin next summer.

You can check all of the project details, and submit an application, at this website:

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