She was born in Hamburg, Germany, and got married in Italy. However, her home is neither one, nor the other.
Instead, the city of Berat in Albania has become her home.
“I bought a house here in Berat 23 years ago, when I was on a trip and I thought this is a city of wonders and will be famous like Venice,” Hilda Gioia told Euronews Albania.
The city of Berat was love at first sight for the 73-year-old.
“I decided to live here, primarily because of the climate, the food, because people still eat very healthily, but very few know that.”
In Berat, Hilda managed to find a job that connects with her passion. She deals with objects and works dating back to the 18th century.
“Antiques are my passion, and even in Italy, in my villa, I bought all the antique objects.”
In Berat, she found what she had been searching and dreaming of all along. Therefore, she has a request for the Albanian authorities.
“Now I want to apply for Albanian citizenship because I have been told that I have the right to obtain it due to property ownership.”
Hilda states that she will continue to live in Berat and also tell her Italian friends about the beauties of the city.
