Spotorno nuns fight to retain beach management held since 1946

A dispute has emerged in Spotorno, Liguria, between the Suore di Carità di Santa Maria religious order and local authorities over the management of the Bagni Gino Garrone beach. The nuns have managed the approximately 50-meter stretch of coastline since 1946, utilizing rental income from sunbeds and umbrellas to fund charitable activities, including a local nursery and a summer camp.

Mayor Mattia Fiorini has announced plans to reclassify the area as a “free equipped beach” to comply with European Union regulations, specifically the Bolkestein Directive, and regional mandates to increase public beach access. This change would require the current concession to be reallocated through a public tender, which is expected to be announced in the autumn.

The religious order argues that the new classification will significantly reduce their revenue, threatening the continuity of their social programs. They contend that their long-standing status as a non-profit entity should exempt them from the standard commercial rules applied to other private beach concessions.