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This stunning Italian town is...

WTF?

This stunning Italian town is offering people homes for free

Jonathan Duane
Jonathan Duane

04:58 4 Nov 2019


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A free house in a beautiful Sicilian town... yes please.

In recent times Italy has been in the headlines not because of it's amazing wine or it's delicious food.

Rather the country has been offering people properties at ridiculous cheap prices in an attempt to lure people to small historical towns with dwindling populations.

In one case people were even being offered money to move there.

And now the Sicilian town of Cammarata is offering people offering homes, for absolutely nothing.

Desperate to save his hometown from depopulation, mayor Vincenzo Giambrone has spent the last three years convincing owners who've long abandoned their family homes to hand over the empty, crumbling buildings to newcomers for free.
"I can't stand to see this gorgeous, old historical center empty and turn into a ruin. It hurts me," Giambrone told CNN Travel.

"The owners are oblivious to the damage they cause when they ditch their homes and refuse to restyle their ancient dwellings. It leaves a deep scar on the townscape with the risk of dangerous collapses."

Giambrone told the publication that there are around a dozen empty homes at present, with "more to come shortly."
And with at least 100 other abandoned homes, all located in Cammarata's most ancient part, with the potential for rescuing, Giambrone has high hopes for the scheme.
"Now new buyers can finally step in to secure these crumbly walls and revive the historical area," he adds.
But there are a few terms and conditions that come along with the free homes scheme.
Buyers must commit to renovating the property within three years of the purchase and pay a €5,000 deposit - but this will be returned once renovations are complete.
While all potential buyers who meet the criteria will be considered, young couples with children will receive priority - couples who move there and go on to have a baby even receive a 1,000 euro bonus.
New owners can transform the multi-story buildings into a private house, B&B, hotel, shops or even a restaurant.


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