Two months before the start of the Holy Year in Rome, the housing market has been wiped out. Citizens are forced to move to the suburbs. But some are trying to defend themselves.
Sara lives in the student district of San Lorenzo. Lots of cafés, galleries and pizzerias, busy markets and graffiti on the walls. The 31-year-old has been living with two roommates on 100 square meters for ten years for a rent of 1,500 euros. And I don’t want to leave the neighborhood anymore. But her landlord is urging her to move out: her rental agreement expires in December, and he doesn’t want to miss out on the business of the Holy Year, a – if you will – twelve-month pilgrimage that the Catholic Church only calls for every quarter of a century. 30 million visitors are expected: Anyone who has something to rent in Rome is now switching to tourism. Sara’s apartment is supposed to become a lucrative bed and breakfast for visitors.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
