Homes in this idyllic Sicilian town are being sold for just €1
The small hilltop town of Sambuca, on the Italian island of Sicily, is currently selling properties for the bargain price of €1.
Located in the island's mountainous Agrigento province, the town has put dozens of houses up for sale for next to nothing in order to attract new residents, CNN reports.
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While a home in Sambuca will cost you less than a high-street coffee, there is an inevitable catch. Following in the footsteps of a similar scheme launched in Sardinia last year, buyers must commit to refurbishing the abandoned houses within three years, which is estimated to cost at least €15,000 (£13,200). They will also need to pay a hefty €5,000 (£4,400) security deposit, although this will be returned once the work on the house is finished.
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If you're looking for peace and quiet, however, Sambuca could be the perfect spot. After younger residents have moved away to bigger cities in recent years, the town has a population of just under 6,000. Known as the City of Splendor, the surroundings are also stunning. Vineyards stretch all the way to the sea, with temple ruins and lookout towers scattered around the countryside.
"This fertile patch of land is dubbed the Earthly Paradise," Giuseppe Cacioppo, Sambuca's deputy mayor, told CNN. "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."
Around 10 houses have already been sold and although they're in desperate need of restoration work, it hasn't stopped potential buyers from Switzerland, France and Spain from showing an interest. Cacioppo hopes the newcomers will help to protect the future of the historic town.
"We can't afford to lose our lovely Arab heritage," he added. "Luckily, foreigners are lending a hand in this rescue crusade."
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