L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019 www.italoamericano.org 12 L'Italo-Americano LIFE PEOPLE PLACES HERITAGE T here seems to be a shared fascination with lighthouses the world over. These austere pillars of hope and guidance, most often planted on precarious ground, seem to speak to our need to be watched over, protected, guided through life's storms. Or maybe it's just that they're simply beautiful in their varied shapes, forms, and layouts. Whatever the draw, the fascination is real. A quick history lesson tells us that burning heaps of heather and broom placed within watch tow- ers served as the earliest Italian lighthouses for seafaring vessels. This somewhat effective but messy combination gave way during the 1300's to true signal lamps that burned olive oil. Inter- estingly so, olive oil was used as fuel in Italian lighthouses until the end of the 19th century. One of the most famous - and still in operation - is Genoa's Capo di Faro built in 1326, which is said to have been operated at one point by Christopher Columbus's Uncle Antonio. Italy's approximate 5,000 miles of coastline provide a roost to hundreds of lighthouses, the majority qualifying for old-age status. As many as 500 still patiently illuminate safe passage through precarious waters, yet many also sit abandoned to time…and lack of funding. Paired with the high number of lighthouses dotting the Italian coastline are the strapping costs of maintenance and restoration. Much like the well-known "Buy a house for a Euro" promo- tions in numerous Italian villages as a means to protect and pre- serve cultural heritage, the Italian Agency for State Property (Agenzia del Demanio) initiated a similar program for lighthouse restoration called Valore Paese Faro – the Lighthouse Restora- tion Project. Modeled on the suc- cess of like-minded programs in countries such as Spain, Canada, and the USA, the project's mis- sion is "…the recovery and reuse of lighthouses and coastal build- ings for tourism, cultural and social purposes, in line with the principles of sustainability linked to the culture of the sea." And unquestionably the hoped-for bolus of tourist dollars. The launch of the program in 2016 initialized with the com- mission for lease of 20 state- owned lighthouses located throughout Italy. Along with restoration, the program's aim is to reduce government debt by off-loading to private investors, as well as encourage tourism in rural areas. Once a lease is obtained, however, the real investment begins. The new proprietor must have experience in the tourism indus- try, as well as present a feasible plan for refurbishing the light- house towards use as a commu- nity and tourist attraction. Think lighthouse B&B, destination weddings, seaside café, and so on. A commission is then award- ed for up to 50 years, along with the lessee's agreement to main- tain the historic integrity of the lighthouse throughout its renova- tion, as well as integrate sustain- able and ecologically sound pro- cedures and practices. Of course, the investor is also guaranteed some of the best of Italy's water- front property, views worthy of a coffee table book, and the promise of high profit returns. With an average lease commit- ment of $55,000 a year and the allure of yearly tax credits, it's a tantalizing risk for both private and corporate investors alike. What does the Italian govern- ment stand to gain, other than bringing new life to decaying but precious architectural history and shuffling off some debt? Initial figures at the inception of the program projected a long-term profit of eight billion euro – a hefty sum to go along with priva- tized revitalization of crumbling PAULA REYNOLDS The lighthouse on Ventotene island, in Lazio (© Dreamstime) A scenic view of the Capo Rizzuto lighthouse (© Dreamstime) Italy's lighthouses – new lights for old treasures Continued to page 14

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