If You Ever Dreamed Of Owning A Castle, Italy Is Now Giving You That Chance

If you have ever dreamed of owning a castle, now’s your opportunity. Italy is giving away 103 run-down properties, among which villas, inns, and castles for free. That means anybody can begin building their own versions of Winterfell, Casterly Rock, or The Pyke.

Nevertheless, there’s just one catch. Italy’s State Property Agency expects anybody who gets one of the properties for free to commit to restoring it so that it can be used as a tourist attraction. Whether the property becomes a hotel, bar, spa, restaurant, or anything else is up to the new owner's decision.

“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 project will relieve some of the strain on Italy’s most touristic areas (like Venice).

The deadline for applications is June 26. Successful applicants will get an initial 9-year period to work on their plan, with the chance of extending it for another 9 years if they need to.

No need to worry in case your application is denied since the country plans to give away 200 more objects within the next two years.

More info: agenziademanio.it (h/t: hellogiggles, thelocal)

If You Ever Dreamed Of Owning A Castle, Italy Is Now Giving You That Chance