<strong>Bargain homes:</strong> The picturesque town of Salemi in Sicily is the latest to offer up dilapidated properties for next to nothing.
Bargain homes: The picturesque town of Salemi in Sicily is the latest to offer up dilapidated properties for next to nothing.
Francesco Russo
<strong>Depopulation remedy?</strong> Dozens of crumbling dwellings located in the picturesque town will soon go up for auction with a starting price of €1.
Depopulation remedy? Dozens of crumbling dwellings located in the picturesque town will soon go up for auction with a starting price of €1.
Francesco Russo
<strong>Revitalization dreams: </strong>Mayor Domenico Venuti hopes the scheme will boost Salemi, which saw its population shrink considerably when around 4,000 residents fled after an earthquake in 1968.
Revitalization dreams: Mayor Domenico Venuti hopes the scheme will boost Salemi, which saw its population shrink considerably when around 4,000 residents fled after an earthquake in 1968.
Francesco Russo
<strong>Long process:</strong> "We've been ready for a while but wanted to wait and see how the Covid-19 emergency evolved," Mayor Domenico Venuti says of the one euro scheme.
Long process: "We've been ready for a while but wanted to wait and see how the Covid-19 emergency evolved," Mayor Domenico Venuti says of the one euro scheme.
Francesco Russo
<strong>Sold unseen: </strong>Potential buyers aren't required to visit Salemi to inspect the homes before making an offer, but they must provide a detailed restyle plan.
Sold unseen: Potential buyers aren't required to visit Salemi to inspect the homes before making an offer, but they must provide a detailed restyle plan.
Francesco Russo
<strong>Golden town:</strong> Salemi has a unique sparkle thanks to the golden warm hue of the campanedda stone that adorns the facades of the castle, its churches, palazzos and homes.
Golden town: Salemi has a unique sparkle thanks to the golden warm hue of the campanedda stone that adorns the facades of the castle, its churches, palazzos and homes.
Francesco Russo
<strong>Tranquil spot:</strong> The town's name is thought to come from the Arab word "Salam," which translates to "healthy and safe" -- or "Salem," which means "peaceful."
Tranquil spot: The town's name is thought to come from the Arab word "Salam," which translates to "healthy and safe" -- or "Salem," which means "peaceful."
Francesco Russo
<strong>'Ghost' neighborhoods:</strong> Some of the abandoned homes available may be in need of substantial repairs due to the damage caused by the earthquake, but many are in reasonably good shape.
'Ghost' neighborhoods: Some of the abandoned homes available may be in need of substantial repairs due to the damage caused by the earthquake, but many are in reasonably good shape.
Francesco Russo
<strong>Stumbling blocks: </strong>"Not only did we carry out thorough maintenance works to secure the risky crumbly areas, we also had to recover many properties to residential use," adds Venuti.
Stumbling blocks: "Not only did we carry out thorough maintenance works to secure the risky crumbly areas, we also had to recover many properties to residential use," adds Venuti.
Francesco Russo
<strong>Town activities:</strong> On St. Joseph's Day, Father's Day in Italy, a culinary feast is held in which 101 gourmet dishes are prepared over the course of a week.
Town activities: On St. Joseph's Day, Father's Day in Italy, a culinary feast is held in which 101 gourmet dishes are prepared over the course of a week.
Francesco Russo
<strong>Breadmaking artistry: </strong>In a tradition that hails back to pagan times, breads are baked to symbolize the holy family during the St. Joseph's Day celebrations.<br />
Breadmaking artistry: In a tradition that hails back to pagan times, breads are baked to symbolize the holy family during the St. Joseph's Day celebrations.
Francesco Russo
<strong>To find out more: </strong>Potential buyers can view photographs of available properties and download application forms on the city council's institutional website once the project goes live in late October.
To find out more: Potential buyers can view photographs of available properties and download application forms on the city council's institutional website once the project goes live in late October.
Francesco Russo