L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019 www.italoamericano.org 14 L'Italo-Americano LIFE PEOPLE PLACES HERITAGE landmarks and increased tourism and employment. And where that profitability stands…or will ulti- mately end up…is yet to be seen. However, it's safe to say that progress does indeed continue to be made at the hands of this wor- thy project. The Agency for State Property annual report released in July of 2018 shows 29 coastal structures having been commis- sioned, with nine more to be released at the printing of the report. The outreach has extended to include additional coastal structures such as ancient towers, fortifications, villas, and other historically important buildings that are under the management of Italian Regions and Municipali- ties. Whether all nine properties were commissioned won't be revealed until the release of the 2019 report; however, the listings are alluring for anyone with dreams of preserving and caring for an extraordinary piece of Ital- ian history. Up for grabs -- the Fort of Castagneto Carducci, situ- ated on a Tuscan Blue Flag beach and waiting to come to life as the best new beachside B&B in town. Prefer something quieter? It can be yours on the island of Elba where the white-washed Punta Polveraia Lighthouse overlooks an azure Ligurian sea, ripe for rebirth into a stunning retreat. These projects aren't easy, but with steely vision, monumental patience, and good financial backing, a storybook ending is definitely realistic. Sardinia is home to one such example – The Hotel Faro Capo Spartivento. Constructed in 1854 on order of King Emmanuel II of Savoy, the lighthouse and surrounding build- ings perched on a craggy Sardin- ian cliff were abandoned in the early 1980's. An eight years long restoration project brought the once-regal naval structure back to life, even garnering praise from the Italian Navy as a prime exam- ple of military architectural restoration. Following the mandates of the Lighthouse Restoration Project (Valore Paese Faro), Faro Capo Spartivento's rejuvenation was accomplished with great respect to preservation of its original form, yet done with locally sourced materials and sustainable practices. Off-grid energy via solar panels provides power, while desalinated sea water fills the need for watering the grounds and other utilitarian purposes. The concept also includes, in addition to elegant hotel rooms, communi- ty friendly aspects such as wed- ding packages, creative retreats, team building experiences, and open access for photo shoots. From the images of this solitary retreat, it's not hard to imagine time spent destressing to the songs of the gulls and hum of the sea breeze under a Sardinian sky! Beacons of light, these grand old lighthouses are one by one being given the opportunity to shine anew thanks to the Italian Lighthouse Renovation Project. Economic gain is a piece of the puzzle, but more importantly these structures have the chance to remain a viable part of the Ital- ian landscape, a visible testament to the seafaring communities they served, and a cultural link that would be regrettable to see slip away. Author Steve Berry says it well: "A concentrated effort to pre- serve our heritage is a vital link to our cultural, educational, aesthet- ic, inspirational, and economic legacies – of all the things that quite literally make us who we are." Continued from page 12 Many Italian lighthouses could be transformed into bed and breakfasts, restaurants or cafés with the Valore Paese Faro project (© Dreamstime) The Vieste lighthouse, in Puglia (© Dreamstime)

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