Italian aristocracy open their homes to public for first time
5.2 هزار بار بازدید -
3 سال پیش
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(25 May 2015) LEAD-IN: The
(25 May 2015) LEAD-IN:
The hit TV series Downton Abbey is encouraging noble families in Northern Italy to open their majestic homes to visitors.
Under the network, "Welcome to the Castle," Counts and Countesses are polishing their silverware and offering curious visitors a handshake, a tour and elegant dinners.
STORY-LINE:
This coat of arms dates back to the 14th century.
It belongs to the Roero's - a family of knights that conquered the fortress towers and castle during a violent feud among local nobility.
These are the descendants of those brave knights.
Count Aimone Roero di Monticello, the Countess, their three daughters, and two dogs are current owners of Castle Roero di Monticello.
The Roero's have kept it alive for almost seven centuries.
Now they can continue to do it with the help of "Welcome to the Castle."
Launched this month (May 2015) at Milan's EXPO 2015, "Welcome to the Castle" is an initiative that encourages visitors to the region to visit ancient abodes like this one.
"I'm always amazed at people's reactions when they realise that a castle can be alive," says Count Roero. "Perhaps they come in thinking of it as a monument, and then they see that there's life inside."
Countess Elisa Roero di Monticello says it's an eye-opener for both them and the curious commoners.
"When they're surprised at the sight of our daughters, the dogs running in the garden, it's funny," she says.
Nearby in the Piedmont countryside, another count conquers visitors, not by swords but with beauty.
The Count of Pralormo has planted 80,000 tulips in his 25,000 square-foot garden.
He's the latest heir of the 12th century Castle of Pralormo. The property has been in his family for 500 years, now he also offers dinners and tours to tourists.
"In connection with the organisation of EXPO 2015 in Milan, we think we can offer to people who come from far away, the Italian lifestyle and particularly that of noble mansions," he says. "At the same time it will be a pleasure for us to experience the novelty of this world that comes to visit Italy, and that I'm sure will bring interesting ideas and interesting news."
Inheriting a castle isn't necessarily a walk in the park. Italy's hefty property taxes and refuge collection fees increase with each square foot.
On top of that, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage must give its stamp of approval for any planned renovation.
Castle owners say, this makes it hard to turn their expensive inheritances into a viable business. But "Welcome to the Castle" now gives them the opportunity to market themselves to the world, well beyond the occasional wedding reception.
"Welcome to the Castle is a network of (castle) owners, it's an idea I promoted, of private owners of historical mansions, who are also passionate and have the drive to tell their own story and welcome guests arriving from around the world on the occasion of the EXPO," says Carola Gancia, the network's founder.
Forty families make up the network, giving visitors a sneak peek into the everyday lives of Italy's blue blood .
"The goal is to show, not just the traditions of their families, but also of the lands where, for centuries, they have lived and continue to live, keeping up their mansions," says Gancia.
In the ancient past, these families weren't friendly, some were even at war with each other. But things have changed. Without an army, without an army of servants and with big mansions to maintain, noble families have found a common cause.
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The hit TV series Downton Abbey is encouraging noble families in Northern Italy to open their majestic homes to visitors.
Under the network, "Welcome to the Castle," Counts and Countesses are polishing their silverware and offering curious visitors a handshake, a tour and elegant dinners.
STORY-LINE:
This coat of arms dates back to the 14th century.
It belongs to the Roero's - a family of knights that conquered the fortress towers and castle during a violent feud among local nobility.
These are the descendants of those brave knights.
Count Aimone Roero di Monticello, the Countess, their three daughters, and two dogs are current owners of Castle Roero di Monticello.
The Roero's have kept it alive for almost seven centuries.
Now they can continue to do it with the help of "Welcome to the Castle."
Launched this month (May 2015) at Milan's EXPO 2015, "Welcome to the Castle" is an initiative that encourages visitors to the region to visit ancient abodes like this one.
"I'm always amazed at people's reactions when they realise that a castle can be alive," says Count Roero. "Perhaps they come in thinking of it as a monument, and then they see that there's life inside."
Countess Elisa Roero di Monticello says it's an eye-opener for both them and the curious commoners.
"When they're surprised at the sight of our daughters, the dogs running in the garden, it's funny," she says.
Nearby in the Piedmont countryside, another count conquers visitors, not by swords but with beauty.
The Count of Pralormo has planted 80,000 tulips in his 25,000 square-foot garden.
He's the latest heir of the 12th century Castle of Pralormo. The property has been in his family for 500 years, now he also offers dinners and tours to tourists.
"In connection with the organisation of EXPO 2015 in Milan, we think we can offer to people who come from far away, the Italian lifestyle and particularly that of noble mansions," he says. "At the same time it will be a pleasure for us to experience the novelty of this world that comes to visit Italy, and that I'm sure will bring interesting ideas and interesting news."
Inheriting a castle isn't necessarily a walk in the park. Italy's hefty property taxes and refuge collection fees increase with each square foot.
On top of that, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage must give its stamp of approval for any planned renovation.
Castle owners say, this makes it hard to turn their expensive inheritances into a viable business. But "Welcome to the Castle" now gives them the opportunity to market themselves to the world, well beyond the occasional wedding reception.
"Welcome to the Castle is a network of (castle) owners, it's an idea I promoted, of private owners of historical mansions, who are also passionate and have the drive to tell their own story and welcome guests arriving from around the world on the occasion of the EXPO," says Carola Gancia, the network's founder.
Forty families make up the network, giving visitors a sneak peek into the everyday lives of Italy's blue blood .
"The goal is to show, not just the traditions of their families, but also of the lands where, for centuries, they have lived and continue to live, keeping up their mansions," says Gancia.
In the ancient past, these families weren't friendly, some were even at war with each other. But things have changed. Without an army, without an army of servants and with big mansions to maintain, noble families have found a common cause.
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: Twitter: AP_Archive
Facebook: Facebook: APArchives
Instagram: Instagram: APNews
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
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