The Suore di Carità di Santa Maria order, which has managed the Bagni Gino Garrone beach resort in Spotorno, Liguria, since 1946, is contesting the municipality's decision to reclassify the concession as a free equipped beach and put it out to public tender. The nuns argue that the beach's proceeds fund their charitable activities, including an infant school and a summer camp, and that losing the concession would force them to close the school.
Background of the Dispute
The 50-metre stretch of sand at Bagni Gino Garrone has been operated by the nuns for decades, renting out loungers and umbrellas like many other private concessions. However, the regulation that exempted them from standard commercial rules because of their social mission no longer exists. Spotorno's mayor, Mattia Fiorini, has informed the nuns that the concession will be reclassified as a free equipped beach, meaning access would be free, and if they wish to continue, they must compete in a public tender, which is due to be issued in the autumn.
Nuns' Response and Local Debate
During a public debate, Sister Miranda, a nun in her 80s, challenged the mayor directly. According to the Turin edition of Corriere della Sera, she said, "It's ours. Why does the municipality want to take away our beach? If they do, we won't even be able to keep the school running." The nuns argue that operating as a free equipped beach would be considerably less profitable, threatening their charitable work.
EU Directive and National Deadline
The dispute is part of a broader national issue: Italy faces a 30 June 2027 deadline to put all private beach concessions out to public tender, as required by the EU's Bolkestein directive. For two decades, successive Italian governments have resisted these competition rules under pressure from beach concession owners, but Giorgia Meloni's government was forced to agree to the deadline amid pressure from Brussels and domestic court rulings. Spotorno's plan could make it one of the first municipalities to comply, setting a precedent for others.
