To bring life back to the historic part of Sicily, Salemi Mayor Vittorio Sgarbi offered old properties for only one euro.

Sgarbi explained to Corriere della Sera, "In exchange for the token payment of one euro ($1.44) we will offer them one of these houses and ask that they undertake to restore them within two years while respecting their original characteristics."

The mayor said his aim in restoring Sicily's historic homes is to make Salemi the next Pantelleria, a tiny volcanic island off the coast of Sicily which attracts celebrities like Madonna and Naomi Campbell.

He disclosed that among the possible early takers are former Genesis star Peter Gabriel and Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti.

The idea to restore the old houses without the town spending money came from photographer Olivero Toscani, Salemi's councilor for creativity.

Sgarbi compared the old houses which have been abandoned for four decades to a heart pierced by a thorn, which are dangerous but represent a patrimony slowly dissolving. "We want to try and attract people back to the town or at least make some form of donation to try and help save the architectural environment that we are rapidly losing," the Salemi mayor said.

Salemi hosts 3,700 dilapidated but historic houses in need of new owners. The cost of restoring these home was estimated at $144,000 (100,000 euro).