A Small Italian Town Is Revived Thanks to a Dutch Reality Show and the Vision of a Mayor.

The story of Mornico Losana (Lombardy): from the risk of depopulation to a virtuous case of international revival thanks to tourism, media, and administrative courage.

In an Italy where many villages struggle with depopulation and economic decline, Mornico Losana — a town of 700 inhabitants in the heart of the Oltrepò Pavese — has become a virtuous example now attracting international attention.

The driving force behind this revival is the new season of “Chateau Meiland,” one of the most-watched reality shows in the Netherlands, which has chosen Mornico — over more famous destinations like Bellagio or Sanremo — as the exclusive setting for its latest season.

The Meiland family, the stars of the show, purchased and are renovating a historic 18th-century home in the village center.

But behind the cameras lies a much deeper transformation.

“This is not just a television production — it’s the result of a well-thought-out and forward-looking strategy,” says Barbara Mazzali, Regional Councillor for Tourism, Territorial Marketing, and Fashion in Lombardy. “Mayor Ilaria Rosati has shown what it means to govern with vision: building international connections, opening the village to Dutch tourism through an innovative glamping project, and creating the conditions to attract media attention and real investment. It’s a case study in how small towns can become engines of change.”

The glamping site — born from the idea of a Dutch couple — was the first step.

Today, thanks also to the reality show, Mornico is experiencing a real estate boom: 17 properties purchased by foreign citizens over the past four years, six of them between 2024 and 2025 alone. 

Dutch, British, and now even Scottish buyers are choosing to invest in the village, drawn by its authenticity, scenic beauty, and quality of life.

“We have families relocating here, shops reopening, and artisans directly involved in the transformation,” explains Mayor Ilaria Rosati. “But what matters most is that this is a real, concrete, replicable model: not just television, but new opportunities for an entire community.”

Media attention is opening the door to a new narrative about Italian villages, and today Mornico Losana presents itself as a symbol of the untapped potential of rural areas — too often overlooked by political agendas.

“Many talk about territorial regeneration, but few manage to make it happen,” adds Mazzali. “Here, it truly did. Not through massive funding, but with smart governance, entrepreneurial spirit, and the pride of those who believe in their land. Lombardy is home to many wonderful places, and the Oltrepò is among the most surprising. This isn’t a ‘new Tuscany’ — it’s much more. It’s a unique, still-authentic territory, ready to welcome those seeking beauty, simplicity, and real quality of life.”

In a Europe searching for models of resilience for its inner areas, Mornico Losana becomes much more than a TV set: it’s a story of the future. 

A story of how good politics — politics that stays close to citizens and knows how to speak the language of the world — can reverse decline. And restore hope to a territory, an identity, and a community.