Stories and inspirations

“Working on Amanda & Alan’s Italian Job in Salemi was an incredible and eye-opening experience. It wasn’t just about renovating two houses, but about telling a story of rebirth for an entire town. The dedication with which Amanda and Alan embraced every challenge, working side by side with local craftsmen, craftswomen, and residents, highlighted the true potential behind €1 homes. I witnessed passions ignite, dreams take shape, and international interest grow around this unique project. Salemi was transformed from a little-known place into a destination loved by viewers all over the world — and this was only the beginning.”

— Scott Thompson, Project Manager of Amanda & Alan’s Italian Job

Salemi was not even on my original itinerary — and thinking about what I might have missed is incredible.

In September 2022, my children and I visited four towns in Sicily while searching for the right place to buy a home. I was looking for a location within one hour of a major airport, close to the beach, rich in arts and culture, and with a welcoming community. Salemi exceeded every expectation.

We met Fabrizio Internicola at a local café, and we immediately felt a connection to the town. The properties shown perfectly matched my budget and preferences. By the end of the visit, we knew Salemi was the right choice.

I returned in December to finalize the purchase. The entire process — from offer to preliminary agreement — was smooth and stress-free thanks to Fabrizio’s expertise and local network.

Buying property in Salemi, Sicily was more than a real estate decision. It was choosing a new lifestyle.

I purchased my home in Salemi in about six months.

From my very first trip to Sicily, I knew this town had everything I was looking for:

a strategic location near the highway, close to an international airport, just 30 minutes from the beach and within one hour of a major city.

Thanks to Fabrizio Internicola, I discovered the town, viewed the right properties, and found the perfect home. He supported me through every step — paperwork, immigration legal assistance, and ongoing help even during renovation.

Today, I already have friends here, welcoming neighbors, and I look forward to living and working in Salemi.

Salemi is not just a house. It’s a life choice.

My name is Carlos, I’m from Chile, and I met Maria Pia in California while we were both working in the wine industry. After getting married, we decided to build our future in her hometown, Salemi. When I first arrived, I saw more than history — I saw opportunity. Lower costs, space to create, and real potential for growth. We opened Birrificio Picara, bringing our experience into craft brewing, and later launched Fusion BBQ Lab, combining international flavors with Sicilian identity. Choosing Salemi was not just emotional, it was strategic. Here, ideas can truly become businesses.

"We have been so fortunate in getting connected with Fabrizio Internicola during our search for a new home in Salemi.

We were impressed with Fabrizio’s dedication to each step of the process and his genuine interest in assuring we were satisfied with our final decision on our new place. The best part is that we now have a new friend - a friendship that will continue to grow! Looking forward to spend our first summer together with our kids in Salemi!"

“My first visit to Sicily was in June 2023. During that trip I explored historic towns such as Salemi, Sambuca di Sicilia, and Caccamo, searching for an authentic place where I could invest and develop a long-term cultural project. It was in Salemi, in the heart of the historic center and within the former Convent of Sant’Agostino, that I felt something truly distinctive. I immediately recognized the town’s creative energy, its architectural heritage, and its strong potential for urban regeneration and cultural investment in Western Sicily.

That vision became Salemi Ceramics — a contemporary ceramics hub designed to attract international artists, students, and cultural travelers. Salemi offers more than beauty; it offers opportunity, accessibility, and a community open to innovation. From that moment, I decided not only to stay, but to build a project rooted in art, craftsmanship, and sustainable development in Salemi, Sicily.”

My name is Marissa, I’m 63 years old, Italian-American, and I recently moved to Salemi after returning from Maryland. My grandparents left Sicily generations ago, and coming back felt like closing a circle. I bought my home here with Fabrizio and from the first visit I felt something familiar in the stone streets and warm light over the hills. Salemi has history, character, and a calm rhythm that reminds me of the stories I grew up hearing at the family table. It doesn’t feel like starting over — it feels like coming home.

Me llamo María Eugenia, soy argentina de origen italiano y profesora de Economía. Cuando escuché por primera vez sobre el proyecto de las casas a 1 euro en Salemi, lo analicé con mentalidad académica: quería entender si era una estrategia real de desarrollo territorial o solo una campaña mediática. Después de estudiar el modelo y vivir el proceso de compra con el sistema organizado por 1 Euro Home, gestionado por Fabrizio, comprendí que se trata de algo mucho más estructurado.

Comprar mi casa por 11 euros no fue simplemente una anécdota sorprendente, fue participar en un mecanismo inteligente de revitalización urbana. El municipio recupera patrimonio, atrae nuevos residentes, activa inversión privada y genera un efecto multiplicador en la economía local. Como economista, veo claramente el impacto: pequeñas decisiones individuales que producen valor colectivo.

Para mí no fue solo una compra inmobiliaria. Fue una decisión estratégica y emocional al mismo tiempo. Invertí en un proyecto que combina identidad, sostenibilidad y visión de futuro. Y eso, desde cualquier punto de vista, es extraordinario.

I'm Janine, I am Belgian and the wife of Patrick Ysebart, and I have been living in Salemi for many years now. We arrived during the administration of Vittorio Sgarbi, a time when the town was experiencing a strong cultural revival and a renewed sense of identity. What began as curiosity soon became something much deeper.

When Patrick and I chose Salemi, it was not a random decision. Patrick, with the sensitivity of an artist that defined who he was, immediately felt the ancient energy of this place. He would say that you can sense the layers of history here, not in a nostalgic way, but as a living presence. That is why he wanted the house near the Chiesa Madre, in the heart of the historic center — not just for its location, but for what it represented.

We restored that home carefully, respecting its soul while making it ours. Over time, Salemi became more than a residence; it became part of our story. What we found here was not only beauty, but meaning.

I have worked for many years in the media and creative industry, and I have seen many cities trying to reinvent themselves. Salemi is different.

When I visited, I felt something very honest. It is not loud, not artificial. It has depth. The history is visible, but the future is also possible. For creative people, that balance is powerful.

Salemi has space — physical space and mental space. For filmmakers, artists, entrepreneurs, this matters. You can think clearly here. You can build something meaningful.

In my experience, places with quiet strength often become the most interesting stories. Salemi has that strength.