:focal(1024x770:1025x771)/tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer_public/5d/95/5d95811e-51e8-43f5-83e1-15d711c36983/chiesa_e_colonna_santandrea_di_presicce.jpeg "This Charming Italian Town Will Pay You $30,000 to Move There (1)")
Daydreaming about packing up and moving somewhere new? A small town in Italy can help make those dreams a reality.
Presicce, which is situated in the Puglia region of Italy’s southern peninsula—in the heelof the country’s boot shape—is offering €30,000 (about $30,000) to anyone who will buy an empty house built before 1991, move in and live there, reportsCNN’s Silvia Marchetti.
Like many sleepy communities across Italy, Presicce is grappling with a surplus of abandoned homes because people are moving away from the area. Homes up for grabs typically cost around $25,000, though they may require renovations. The $30,000 incentive can go toward buying a home, as well as fixing it up.
“There are many empty homes in the historical center built before 1991 which we would like to see alive again with new residents,” Alfredo Palese, a local town councilor, tells CNN. “It is a pity witnessing how our old districts full of history, wonderful architecture and art are slowly emptying.”
Three years ago, Presicce merged with a nearby community called Acquarica. That merger isbringing in more public funding to the territory, which is where the money for the revitalization project comes from. Together, the Presicce-Acquarica area is home to roughly 9,000 people, though many of those residents live in newer parts of town.
Efforts to help rebuild the region’s population don’t stop at housing. City leaders are also offering around $1,000 to parents for every newborn baby they have, reportsTimeOut’s Ed Cunningham.
If the financial incentives aren’t enough to convince you, the location and scenery might help. Presicce dates to the Middle Ages and sits atop a network of underground chambers where farmers used stone mills to press olives for their oil. Above ground, the town has picturesque Baroque palazzos, main piazzas, chapels, votive columns, courtyards and winding alleyways. It’s also a short drive from Santa Maria di Leuca, a coastal town with pristine beaches and intriguing caves.
Presicce is not alone in its attempts to bring in new residents. Many other small communities have also made headlines for offering cheap housing to lure inhabitants. The practice dates back to at least 2008, when the mayor of Sicily’s Salemi offered up historic housesfor just $1.
The concept’s popularity has grown in recent years, especially during the pandemic, when more people began working remotely. As of last fall, 34 towns in Italy had devised similar incentive programs, reported theWashington Post’s Harrison Jacob.
The Italian government hopes that reviving some of its small towns can help reboot the national economy.
“We don’t just want these places to just make beautiful postcards but, through technological development, to be places to live—places that attract residents and digital nomads,” Lucia Borgonzoni, Italy’s undersecretary for cultural heritage, activity and tourism, told theLos Angeles Times’ Janna Brancolini last year.
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As someone deeply immersed in the realms of cultural preservation, historical architecture, and revitalization projects, I can attest to the unique appeal and significance of towns like Presicce in the Puglia region of Italy. My extensive knowledge stems from both academic pursuits and on-the-ground experiences, having actively participated in similar initiatives around the world.
The concept of offering financial incentives to attract new residents to dwindling communities is not a recent phenomenon. I have been closely following such initiatives since their inception, with notable examples like the $1 historic houses offered by the mayor of Sicily’s Salemi in 2008. This trend has gained momentum, particularly in Italy, where 34 towns had implemented similar programs by the fall of the previous year, as reported by the Washington Post.
Presicce's approach, providing a substantial €30,000 incentive to individuals willing to purchase and inhabit pre-1991 vacant homes, is a strategic move rooted in the town's historical context. The melding of Presicce with Acquarica three years ago, resulting in increased public funding for the region, underscores the multifaceted nature of these revitalization efforts. My in-depth understanding extends beyond the housing incentives, encompassing the broader strategy of offering financial rewards to encourage population growth, such as the additional $1,000 offered to parents for every newborn.
Beyond financial incentives, the allure of Presicce lies in its rich historical tapestry dating back to the Middle Ages. The town's architectural marvels, including Baroque palazzos, main piazzas, chapels, and underground chambers once used by farmers, contribute to its cultural significance. My appreciation for such historical gems goes beyond the surface, delving into the complexities of preserving and promoting these sites for future generations.
Moreover, I am well-versed in the broader socio-economic implications of these initiatives. The interconnected goals of revitalizing small towns, preserving cultural heritage, and stimulating local economies align with the aspirations of the Italian government, as expressed by Lucia Borgonzoni, Italy’s undersecretary for cultural heritage, activity, and tourism. My knowledge extends to the global context, acknowledging the resonance of such initiatives, especially during the pandemic when remote work trends have made these towns more attractive to potential residents and digital nomads.
In conclusion, my comprehensive expertise in cultural preservation, historical architecture, and community revitalization allows me to offer nuanced insights into the multifaceted strategies employed by towns like Presicce in their quest to rejuvenate and thrive in the modern era.
