Italy allocates €150M to protect historic cafes and shops as cultural heritage
A new bill in the Italian Senate aims to allocate €150 million from 2023 to 2025 to safeguard historic commercial venues—such as cafés, restaurants, hotels, and artisan workshops—that have maintained their original furnishings for at least 70 years. This initiative, introduced by Senate Vice President Gian Marco Centinaio, along with Enrico Magenes and Magda Antonioli, acknowledges these establishments as vital cultural assets. The Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, the Ministry of Culture, and the State-Regions Conference will collaborate on this effort, offering eligible businesses rent subsidies, restoration grants, or tax relief. Additionally, the bill supports educational campaigns on local history. Centinaio highlighted the economic importance of these historic shops, with Magenes noting that participating establishments boast an average history of over 150 years, including examples like Hotel Bernini Palace and Caffè Greco.
Key facts
- €150 million fund over three years (2023–2025) for historic Italian commercial establishments
- Bill presented by Senate Vice President Gian Marco Centinaio
- Association of Historic Shops of Italy president Enrico Magenes and Bocconi professor Magda Antonioli involved
- Eligibility: businesses operating at least 70 years with original interiors and historical/cultural significance
- Initially 200 association members, potential expansion to 300 via census
- Funds managed by Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, with Ministry of Culture and State-Regions Conference
- Municipalities decide allocation: rent subsidies, restoration grants, or tax exemptions
- School campaigns to promote educational projects on history and traditions
- Examples: Hotel Bernini Palace (Florence), Antica Locanda Mincio (Valeggio sul Mincio), Caffè Greco (Rome), Caffè Paszkowski (Florence), La Bersagliera (Naples)
Entities
Artists
- Giorgio de Chirico
- Totò
Institutions
- Italian Senate
- Association of Historic Shops of Italy
- Bocconi University
- Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy
- Ministry of Culture
- State-Regions Conference
- UNESCO
- Artribune
Locations
- Italy
- Rome
- Florence
- Naples
- Valeggio sul Mincio
- Padua
- Palazzo Madama
- Hotel Bernini Palace
- Antica Locanda Mincio
- Caffè Greco
- Caffè Paszkowski
- La Bersagliera
- Caffè Pedrocchi