The famous American network has shone a spotlight on a small corner of Tuscany: Radicondoli and its hamlet Belforte!
Here, the municipality offers up to 20,000 euros to those who decide to move, with an additional contribution of 6,000 euros for expenses such as heating and transport. This year the program has been expanded: not only for those who buy, but also for those who rent, with half the rent for the first two years covered until the beginning of 2026.
Prices (which here do not reach the euro mark) start at around 50,000 euros for the smallest units and go up to 100,000 euros or more for larger houses. Most properties are in decent condition, but some homes may require about 10,000 euros in renovations. This means that those who take advantage of the full 20,000 euro bonus can buy a small apartment for 30-35,000 euros. Renters also benefit: a 60-80 sqm house that normally costs 400 euros a month would drop to 200 euros thanks to the subsidy.
The CNN Travel article describes the project as a virtuous example of the revival of Italian villages: a concrete invitation to those who dream of an authentic life among hills, olive groves, and real communities. The goal is clear: to repopulate the centers and give new energy to these areas, encouraging new residences, renovations, and small local businesses.
Radicondoli has seen its population decrease since the 1950s (100 of the 450 homes are empty and this has led to a decline from 3,000 to about 966 inhabitants), when young people left the town in search of work in the cities. Today, according to Mayor Guarguaglini, about 15 elderly people die each year while only 3 children are born.
Radicondoli, located about 40 minutes from Siena and just over an hour from Florence, retains great charm thanks to its wine, oil, and local cuisine. Among the gastronomic specialties are Cinta Senese cured meats, ribollita, and handmade pici with wild boar or porcini mushrooms.
The town offers numerous cultural and outdoor activities: guided tours of the historic center, craft workshops, folk festivals and fairs, as well as routes for trekking, cycling, and horseback riding in the surrounding nature. The Energia del Territorio, the energy museum, illustrates local geothermal production, from which the village also derives economic income.
Belforte, a hamlet about 10 minutes away, is even quieter but just as picturesque, with stone houses connected by cobbled alleys and an active community life with bars, mini-markets, and restaurants, including the legendary Le Mura. In summer, the village hosts concerts and major events at sunset in the main square.
Thus Radicondoli and Belforte, two hidden gems between Siena and the sea, are emerging internationally, and there is no doubt that the new program will help restore some of the splendor and vitality that animated the village when, in the 14th century, it was a flourishing center of wool production.
