(CNN) — Looking for a dose of instant sunshine to help you through the winter? This latest deal out of Italy could be just the warm jolt of vitamin D you need. As of right now, you can buy a house on southern Italy's beautiful island of Sicily for less than the cost of an espresso. Sambuca, a hilltop town with views over the Mediterranean island and nearby beaches, has placed dozens of dwellings on the market for €1, or just over a dollar. The deal is aimed at reviving a community that, like many other rural spots in Italy, has suffered from depopulation in recent years as residents move to bigger cities. It's not the first Italian town to lure in outsiders with tempting offers but, say local officials, Sambuca is scrapping red tape to make sure anyone interested can more or less make their purchase right away. "As opposed to other towns that have merely done this for propaganda, this city hall owns all €1 houses on sale," says Giuseppe Cacioppo, Sambuca's deputy mayor and tourist councilor. "We're not intermediaries who liaise between old and new owners. You want that house, you'll get it no time." City of Splendor l e v a r t But there's a catch. The new owners must commit to refurbish their choice of the crumbling 40- to 150-square meter dwellings within three years, at a cost starting from €15,000 (about $17,200). They'll also need to cough up a €5,000 security deposit that will be returned once the restyle is complete. Buyers won't be disappointed, says Cacioppo. "Sambuca is known as the City of Splendor," he adds. "This fertile patch of land is dubbed the Earthly Paradise. 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." With the population dwindling, Cacioppo says the town needs outsiders to prevent it falling into ruin. "We can't afford to lose our lovely Arab heritage. Luckily, foreigners are lending a hand in this rescue crusade." Founded by the Ancient Greeks, Sambuca was later conquered by Saracens who turned it into a flourishing trade center. The town is named after the Emir Al Zabut, aka the Splendid One. It's an open-air museum, a patchwork of contrasting architectural styles. Churches with round Arab-looking domes sit next to Baroque palazzos with glazed tile floors, decorated with smiling cherubs, fearsome gargoyles, twisted columns, allegorical statues and coats of arms. This is where Sicily's Arab soul lies. Most houses on sale are located within the "Saracen District," a kasbah maze of arcaded stone portals and winding narrow alleys (less than a meter wide) through which people squeeze. Guardian of the valley The countryside around Sambuca is dotted with ancient ruins. Silvia Marchetti The two-story Moorish dwellings, built with pink-reddish stones that glow at sunset, feature inner courtyards, lavish palm gardens with orange and mandarin trees, arcaded entrances, flowery majolica staircases, typical Sicilian tile roofs and terraces overlooking the stunning scenery. On clear days it's possible to see Sicily's Mt. Etna volcano and the distant island of Pantelleria from the Belvedere Terrace, where Al Zabut's lavish palace once stood as the "guardian of the valley." Zabut's legacy is strong. Streets and local surnames are Arab-sounding. There are couscous cooking classes and Moorish costume parties. Related content 33 amazing places to visit in Italy Sambuca's charm lies also underground, in its "sunken city," Cacioppo organizes guided tours through the labyrinth of purrere, the holes and caves of old sandstone quarries. Most houses come with private grotto access. The ghosts of Saracen soldiers slaughtered by the Christians are said to haunt the caves and district at night -- there's even one street called The Phantom -- but so far there've been no spooky sightings. There's already been some interest in the town, says Cacioppo. "Foreigners are flocking here, flabbergasted by all this beauty," he says. "Some 10 houses have already been sold. Dozens of others are available but badly in need of a makeover. We've been contacted by people from Switzerland, France and Spain and are receiving many requests." He hopes newcomers will help breathe new life into the town, boosting the local economy and preserving the architectural jewels. It'll take some work, though. The abandoned houses on offer are filled with piles of broken stones and forgotten furniture, covered in cobwebs. 'Special place' The town's deputy mayor says Sambuca is an "idyllic retreat." Courtesy Franco Alloro Susanna Heinson, from Germany, has already purchased a house and is restyling it, anxious to move in. "I can't wait to spend next summer in Sambuca," she says. "It's a lovely, special place. The people are very open-minded and friendly. Good restaurants, great wineries. We feel at home." She says she's happy the recovery of the Saracen neighborhood will help to preserve the original face of Sicily and feels "proud to be a part of this." The revival is already underway. Sambuca was nominated in the 2016 Italy's Most Beautiful Towns contest and there are plans to open a "diffuse," scattered hotel to help newcomers experience the thrill of blending in with local village life and mingling with residents. Related content The 25 most beautiful hotels in Italy Sambuca's prime location is one of the biggest selling points. 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. The mesmerizing archaeological site of Selinunte and the Valley of the Temples are also just a stone's throw away. Food and wine Sambuca's architecture is a patchwork of Arab and Baroque styles. Courtesy Proloco/Cacioppo And then there's the wine. Made in the area since the time of the ancient Greeks, Sambuca now has vast vineyards stretching all the way to the sea. This is where the renaissance of elite Sicilian wine started. 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. Non-local grapes such as Merlot, Syrah and Chardonnay have recently been planted to make premium bottles exported worldwide. This being Italy, there's also the attraction of the local food. Anyone staying here should be prepared to stretch their waistline. Sambuca is called "Sicily's barn" for its huge amount of grain production. Old millstones still make bread and pasta using traditional methods and ancient Saracen black wheat varieties, such as sweet-flavored Tumminia. Related content Italian feast: 9 places to destroy your waistline Signature dishes include busiate short pasta with qualeddu (a wild large leaf yellow flower), sausages and breadcrumbs, and macco di fave dried beans soup with wild fennel. Cucciddatu is a doughnut with pepper, cheese and sausages. Grandmother-recipe omelettes are made with blue borage flowers and lemon. Vastedda is a special string cheese of sheep milk, flat as a pizza. The sweet-toothed can indulge in almond cupcakes and cassateddi, fried sweet ricotta-filled ravioli covered in sprinkled sugar. "Imagine having breakfast each morning with one of these cakes: who wouldn't drool at the simple thought?" says Cacioppo.<doc-sep>If the thought of views of the Mediterranean, wine vineyards and sunny beaches off the Italian coast sounds appealing, the town of Sambuca may be the perfect destination – as homes are selling for just €1. Although it may sound too good to be true, local officials are offering the homes on the hilltop town in an effort to repopulate the rural city. And buyers will more than get their money’s worth as the dozens of homes for sale are built on land referred to as the “Earthly Paradise” on the southern island of Sicily. According to city officials, the goal is to bring people back to Sambuca after an exodus of locals to larger cities. However, the deal does have one condition – new owners must invest €15,000 ($17,000, £13,000) into refurbishing their new home within three years, as most of the abandoned homes are run down and dilapidated. Recommended The 8 London areas home buyers should have on their radar right now There is also a €5,000 ($5,700, £4,400) security deposit to consider, which will be returned once the renovations on the houses, ranging from 40 to 150 sq metres, have been completed. The deal is similar to past ones offered by Italian cities, but the difference is Sambuca’s homes are up for grabs for anyone – as city officials told CNN they are owned by city hall. ✕ Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events “As opposed to other towns that have merely done this for propaganda, this city hall owns all €1 houses on sale,” said Sambuca’s deputy mayor and tourist councillor Giuseppe Cacioppo. “We’re not intermediaries who liaise between old and new owners. You want the house, you’ll get it in no time.” If you’re interested in living in one of the houses surrounded by “gorgeous beaches, woods and mountains,” you should act fast, as 10 have already sold, according to Cacioppo. Those interested can email: case1euro@comune.sambucadisicilia.ag.it<doc-sep>
If you want your dream Italian retreat, all you need is some pocket change. According to CNN, Sambuca, an idyllic town in Sicily, Italy, is selling off dozens of old homes for the mere pittance of €1, just over $1 USD. Several other Italian towns have opted for this kind of deal as well, from Sardinia, which also sold off homes for a dollar, to Candela, which offered to pay potential residents to move there. And much like these other towns, Sambuca has suffered from a dwindling population since residents have either passed away or moved to big cities. However, the town officials of Sambuca claim that their deal is better than the rest because if you want a house, you’ve got a house. “As opposed to other towns that have merely done this for propaganda, this city hall owns all €1 houses on sale. We're not intermediaries who liaise between old and new owners. You want that house, you'll get it no time,” Giuseppe Cacioppo, Sambuca's deputy mayor and tourist counselor, told CNN. But much like the other towns mentioned, there’s a few rules you must follow. First, all new homeowners must agree to refurbish their new homes. And as you might have guessed, they are in dire need of some TLC. According to CNN, the “crumbling” homes can range from anywhere between 40 and 150 square meters (430 to 1,614 square feet). In case you’re wondering, 430 square feet is about the size of an 11-by-39-foot room — which is about the size of a spacious New York City studio. Plus, the cost of renovating these places costs about €15,000 (about $17,200 USD) to start, CNN reported. In addition, the new homeowners must pay a €5,000 (about $5,700 USD) security deposit, which is fully refundable once renovations are complete. So, your $1 investment just became about a $22,901 investment. But Cacioppo says it’ll be worth it, since Sambuca is known as the “City of Splendor” and an “Earthly Paradise.” “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,” Cacioppo told CNN. Among the highlights of Sambuca include views of the volcano Mt. Etna in the distance, tours of ancient ruins, beautiful Arab architecture, excellent local wines, and delicious food.