Towers, lighthouses and period villas: the Agenzia del Demanio puts 18 buildings up for auction. There is also Galan's former villa

A 14th-century tower on the promontory of Isola Capo Rizzuto in Calabria, a lighthouse in operation since 1858 on the island of Levanzo in Sicily, period villas in Friuli Venezia Giulia and in Veneto, including (again) that of former governor Giancarlo Galan : these are just some of the 18 assets that the Agenzia del Demanio is proposing in concession to private individuals and third sector entities to give them a "new life" in sustainable tourism, hospitality, culture. This is the first tranche in 2024 of the public tenders for the concession of state-owned properties that the agency publishes twice a year (July and November) as part of its 'Network Projects' activities. To submit your bid there is time until 12 noon on 3 December.

The 18 buildings proposed for valorisation and concession leasing are located throughout Italy: Calabria (4), Lombardy (4), Sicily (4), Veneto (2), Lazio (1), Liguria (1), Piedmont (1), Friuli Venezia Giulia (1). Here are descriptions of some of these assets.

Among the proposed properties is the Torre Vecchia on the promontory at Isola Capo Rizzuto on the Ionian coast. It was built by Charles III in 1380 with the function of controlling the coast and spotting any enemy vessels. It has been used by the Calabrian municipality but its new use could be for social, cultural and sustainable tourism activities.

Also on the State property list is the tower of a lighthouse, that of Capo Grosso at Levanzo, the smallest island of the Egadi Islands: "A few houses, an old villa, a lay-by, a bar and a few restaurants near the small port of Cala Dogana," as the description reads. Capo Grosso is on the opposite side of the town, at the northern end of the island: isolated, with no lighting and reachable by a road that can only be travelled by off-road vehicle. The tower (which dates back to 1858) was in use by the Navy until 1994 (signalling remains active) and had already been given a 20-year concession in 2018, but the contract was revoked early. The new exploitation concession may last up to 50 years with 'the possibility of developing a part to be used as guest quarters'.

In the 'Lighthouses, Towers and Coastal Buildings' network is the former Guardia di finanza marine barracks at Avola (Syracuse) in Sicily, which has no longer been in use by the Fiamme gialle for ten years. The 1866 sky-land building is being offered on the market for the first time: it could be transformed into an accommodation facility with a half-century concession.