Candela: The Italian Town Paying People to Move There
Published 5:06 AM EDT, Thu October 19, 2017
Big plans: The town also has a new ice rink, with a toy museum. A showroom of medieval dresses is currently in the works.Dying town: Italian town Candela is at risk of becoming a ghost town as young residents leave in their droves, and elders die out.Lost grandeur: The town once had a population of 8,000, but this has dwindled to 2,700 today.Financial boost: Mayor Nicola Gatta is planning to give a monetary bonus to those who decide to move to the Italian town.Conditional offer: New residents must move to Candela, rent a house and have a job with an annual salary of at least 7,500 euros to qualify for the money earmarked by Gatta’s council.Ardent crusade: ‘I work each day with passion and commitment to bring Candela back to its ancient splendor,’ says Gatta.Practical solution: Six families from northern Italy have already relocated as part of the scheme and another five have applied to move.Newly-refurbished: The town has been given a makeover, and its restyled old palazzos, streets, and piazzas are open for guided tours.Relocation benefits: ‘Life quality rocks here. We haven’t had one crime in 20 years,’ says Stefano Bascianelli, the mayor’s right-hand man.Idyllic setting: ‘It’s a quiet and simple lifestyle. No crowds, easy to move around, no traffic nor smog,’ says local Francesco Delvecchio.Tourist attractions: Candela has been hosting bonfires, food fairs, and festivals in a bid to attract visitors and new residents.Popular addition: The House of Santa Claus, which tells the story of Saint Nicholas, is a crowd-pleaser during the winter season.
