No buyer for Italian castle

GRADISCA D’ISONZO, Italy - Anadolu Agency

The attempt to find a buyer for Italy’s Gradisca d’Isonzo castle, built in the 15th century to guard against raids, has failed, Anadolu Agency has reported.

The castle was put on sale in an April 11 tender, along with 150 other properties, as the government is seeking support the crisis-hit economy. The sale was canceled after no submissions were received before the May 6 deadline, the agency quoted Italian officials as saying.

The castle was built by the Venetians in the late 15th century over a pre-existing fortress dating from 1176 in the town of Gradisca d’Isonzo, located near the current border with Slovenia.

The castle was developed under Austrian domination in the 16th and 17th centuries, before being turned into a jail.

Italy’s coalition government under the presidency of Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi is currently striving to recover economically, with Italy struggling to bounce back after the recent financial crisis.