The number of €1 houses in Sicily continues to grow. After Gangi, Sambuca di Sicilia, and Delia, the scheme has now reached the village of Troina, in the former provincial district of Enna. The initiative has previously been featured by CNN.
The aim is to renovate and bring new residents into the historic centre’s housing stock. As explained on the official website, “through the ‘€1 Houses’ project, unoccupied properties are transferred at the symbolic price of one euro in order to revitalise and repopulate the ancient quarters of the medieval village.”
€1 houses in Sicily: the project in the village of Troina
The objective of the scheme is to “recover abandoned properties in the historic centre through their symbolic transfer for one euro, by owners to agencies, companies, cooperatives and private individuals who are willing to invest in a project of restoration and enhancement.”
The initiative forms part of a broader effort by the municipal administration to promote and enhance the town, to repopulate the medieval quarters of what is listed among the “Most Beautiful Villages in Italy.”
Under the terms of the project, both property owners wishing to transfer their homes and potential buyers must formally notify the Municipality. The local authority will provide support to both parties and assess the proposals received. It will also act as guarantor to safeguard the interests of those involved, preparing the allocation documents, ensuring the legality of the process, and providing specific incentives such as tax exemptions and grants.
Buyers — whether private individuals, sole traders, cooperatives or companies whose business activities include the management of properties for tourism and hospitality use — must sign the deed of purchase and cover all related notarial and administrative costs.
They are required to prepare a renovation and restoration project, begin works within two years of the purchase date, and take out a €5,000 surety bond in favour of the Municipality, valid for three years, as a guarantee that the works will be carried out.
As specified, “in the event of non-compliance, the Authority reserves the right to retain the bond and to acquire ownership of the property.”
In summary, buyers must:
- sign the deed of purchase and bear all costs related to the transfer;
- prepare a renovation and restoration project;
- begin works within two years of the purchase date;
- take out a €5,000 surety bond in favour of the Municipality, valid for three years.
When the project was first launched, the mayor told CNN Travel: “I want to save our old district and restore its lost greatness, when it was the Norman capital of Sicily.”
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