Teutons in Tuscany?
June 28, 2007
Castelfalfi is a Tuscan hamlet that is no stranger to foreign invasions. The beautiful rustic village with its stunning views towards Florence and Pisa was once an ancient Roman fortress and a medieval castle ruled by the Medicis. In World War II, the German army occupied the castle.
Now, the Germans are back -- although only as investors and business people. Seeing an opportunity for development, Europe’s largest tour operator TUI decided to buy the village -- lock, stock and barrel. The 11 square-kilometer (7 square-mile) property, which is practically a ghost town, will be transformed into a four-star resort with hotels, golf courses, restaurants and holiday apartments.
Peaceful invasion
Tuscany is a hugely popular European tourist destination. Every summer, thousands invade the Chianti hills, bringing millions of euros to the region but threatening to swamp the tranquility and charm that made it such a popular destination in the first place.
The Castelfalfi takeover, however, has met with little resistance from the locals -- all four of them.
"It's a bit too quiet around here," 73-year-old retired gamekeeper Camillo Carli told Reuters.
Life in Castelfalfi has virtually ground to a halt. The school closed 30 years ago, the medieval church of San Floriano needs urgent repairs and most of the homes are derelict.
Is it still Italy?
But some are worried that the Italian character of the village, which is its chief draw card for tourists, will be lost under a German owner and a foreign tourist population.
TUI has pledged to restore the church and to keep the vineyards, farms and olive farms surrounding the village active and serving local produce in the resort’s restaurants.
"We want to keep the typical Tuscan landscape because the target group for Tuscany wants such a landscape”, TUI head of media relations, Robin Zimmermann, told Reuters.
To local resident Camillo Carli, the jobs, tourist spending and repairs are welcome.
"If there is cash, it will be cash for everyone," he said, rubbing forefinger and thumb. "Otherwise there's just misery."