<strong>One-euro homes:</strong> The small town of Sambuca on the Italian island of Sicily is selling off homes for €1 in the hope of revitalizing its community.
One-euro homes: The small town of Sambuca on the Italian island of Sicily is selling off homes for €1 in the hope of revitalizing its community.
Alamy
<strong>The small print: </strong>There's a catch though. The new owners must commit to refurbish their choice of dwelling within three years, at a cost starting from €15,000 (about $17,200).
The small print: There's a catch though. The new owners must commit to refurbish their choice of dwelling within three years, at a cost starting from €15,000 (about $17,200).
Courtesy Franco Alloro
<strong>Historic past: </strong>Founded by the Ancient Greeks, Sambuca was later conquered by Saracens who turned it into a flourishing trade center. Today, the town is a patchwork of contrasting architectural styles with Arabic and Baroque influences.
Historic past: Founded by the Ancient Greeks, Sambuca was later conquered by Saracens who turned it into a flourishing trade center. Today, the town is a patchwork of contrasting architectural styles with Arabic and Baroque influences.
Courtesy Proloco/Cacioppo
<strong>Quick sale: </strong>Sambuca's deputy mayor, Giuseppe Cacioppo, promises to cut red tape to help anyone interesting in buying. "We're not intermediaries who liaise between old and new owners. You want that house, you'll get it no time."
Quick sale: Sambuca's deputy mayor, Giuseppe Cacioppo, promises to cut red tape to help anyone interesting in buying. "We're not intermediaries who liaise between old and new owners. You want that house, you'll get it no time."
Courtesy Proloco/Cacioppo
<strong>City of Splendor: </strong>"Sambuca is known as the City of Splendor," the deputy mayor says. "This fertile patch of land is dubbed the Earthly Paradise."
City of Splendor: "Sambuca is known as the City of Splendor," the deputy mayor says. "This fertile patch of land is dubbed the Earthly Paradise."
Courtesy Proloco/Cacioppo
<strong>Idyllic retreat: </strong>Cacioppo adds: "We're located inside a natural reserve, packed with history. Gorgeous beaches, woods and mountains surround us. It's silent and peaceful, an idyllic retreat for a detox stay."
Idyllic retreat: Cacioppo adds: "We're located inside a natural reserve, packed with history. Gorgeous beaches, woods and mountains surround us. It's silent and peaceful, an idyllic retreat for a detox stay."
Courtesy Proloco/Cacioppo
<strong>Rural ruins: </strong>The countryside is dotted with ruins of pagan temples and Arab lookout towers. Trekking routes lead up to the rocky peak of the nearby Genuardo mountain and its Greek necropolis of Adranon, a hotspot for mushroom foraging.
Rural ruins: The countryside is dotted with ruins of pagan temples and Arab lookout towers. Trekking routes lead up to the rocky peak of the nearby Genuardo mountain and its Greek necropolis of Adranon, a hotspot for mushroom foraging.
Silvia Marchetti
<strong>Wine lands:</strong> Grapevines have been cultivated here for centuries. Sambuca now has vast vineyards stretching all the way to the sea.
Wine lands: Grapevines have been cultivated here for centuries. Sambuca now has vast vineyards stretching all the way to the sea.
Silvia Marchetti
<strong>Local specialties:</strong> Niche red grapevines -- mainly Nero d'Avola -- are grown in estates surrounding Lago Arancio, an artificial lake where low water levels in summer sometimes expose the ruins of an Arab fortress.
Local specialties: Niche red grapevines -- mainly Nero d'Avola -- are grown in estates surrounding Lago Arancio, an artificial lake where low water levels in summer sometimes expose the ruins of an Arab fortress.
Courtesy Franco Alloro
<strong>Special place: </strong>"I can't wait to spend next summer in Sambuca," says Susanna Heinson from Germany, who has already bought a house. "It's a lovely, special place. The people are very open-minded and friendly. Good restaurants, great wineries. We feel at home."
Special place: "I can't wait to spend next summer in Sambuca," says Susanna Heinson from Germany, who has already bought a house. "It's a lovely, special place. The people are very open-minded and friendly. Good restaurants, great wineries. We feel at home."
Courtesy Franco Alloro
<strong>All this beauty: </strong>"Foreigners are flocking here, flabbergasted by all this beauty," says the town's deputy mayor. "Some 10 houses have already been sold. Dozens of others are available but badly in need of a makeover."
All this beauty: "Foreigners are flocking here, flabbergasted by all this beauty," says the town's deputy mayor. "Some 10 houses have already been sold. Dozens of others are available but badly in need of a makeover."
Courtesy Proloco/Cacioppo
<strong>International interest: </strong>The deputy mayor says the town has already received queries about its home sales. "We've been contacted by people from Switzerland, France and Spain and are receiving many requests," he says.
International interest: The deputy mayor says the town has already received queries about its home sales. "We've been contacted by people from Switzerland, France and Spain and are receiving many requests," he says.
Courtesy Proloco/Cacioppo