600-year-old Swiss village faces extinction with only 16 residents remaining

A quaint mountain village Corippo, located in Ticino, Switzerland has only 16 remaining residents, most of which are pensioners.

"I hope the rest of them live into their 90s," the only working resident and Corippo's mayor Claudio Scettrini told BBC. Scettrini expressed it will be "quite tragic" if there is no one left to inhabit the magnificent space. The 600-year-old town has no shop or school.

The village's younger generation moved to make a life in more modern places. However, the clever community has hatched a plan.

In an attempt to preserve the history of the village, the community plans to transform their home into "an authentic, widespread hotel" by making available 60 empty stone houses to attract visitors.

"Although the village being located just 30 minutes away from the nearest city, living up in there can be hard. But visiting the village for a week or two would be a welcome respite for many people," Ticino Tourism director Elia Frapolli told the Daily Mail.

Adding, "The idea is to keep every house as it is, of course making them comfortable for guests, but the village is proud of its heritage and it's important the buildings remain authentic."

Guests will get the authentic treatment and live along side villagers. The local bar will act as the hotel reception. Plans for the project won't take shape for another year.