One of ‘Italy’s most beautiful villages’ Salemi is auctioning homes from €1

Salemi Castle. Image: Giacomocostaphoto Wikimedia CC BY SA 3.0

Known for its medieval charm, the idyllic Sicilian village of Salemi is the newest Italian village to turn to this scheme for reviving its population.

The town Salemi is welcoming people from all over the country and abroad to buy some of its abandoned properties at auction to bring a fresh breathe of life back into its community. Typically the houses on offer in Italy’s “ghost towns” need a lot of work to get them up to up to scratch so the €1 price tag in Salemi comes with a catch.

Prospective residents are required to submit a plan detailing their renovation plans for the property, and a deposit of €3000. Those who transform their building into a business that has the potential to revive the local economy, such as a B&B, gallery, or restaurant, can apply for tax credits.

The mayor says that the infrastructure of the area of the old houses on auction was revived to make the properties more attractive. Furthermore, the properties belong to the city council which fast-tracks the process. A catalog of the homes will be posted here soon, through which people can make a choice before submitting an online application form for their preferred home. 

Many of these houses are located in Salemi’s beautiful medieval historic centre with cobbled streets, bustling family-friendly bars and cafes that spill out on to piazzas. And the area is surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, and has access to plenty of hiking trails. It is also known for its annual jazz festival which is dedicated to musician Tony Scott, whose parents emigrated from Salemi to the US.

Sourced from Lonely Planet.

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Doneren