Salemi

Infobox CityIT
img_coa =
official_name = Comune di Salemi
name = Salemi
region = flagicon|Sicily Sicily
province = Trapani (TP)
elevation_m = 446
area_total_km2 = 181
population_as_of = December 31, 2004
population_total = 11436
population_density_km2 = 64
coordinates = coord|37|49|N|12|48|E|region:IT_type:city(11436)
mapx = 37.817
mapy = 12.809
frazioni =
telephone = 0924
postalcode = 91018
gentilic = Salemitani
saint = St. Nicholas
day = December 6
mayor = Vittorio Sgarbi (since June 30, 2008)
website = [http://www.comune.salemi.tp.it http://www.comune.salemi.tp.it]

Salemi is a town in South-Western Sicily, Italy, administratively part of the province of Trapani. It has 11,436 inhabitants as of 2004.

It is historically known for having been the place where Giuseppe Garibaldi announced the annexation of Sicily on May 14, 1860 as part of the expedition of the Thousand, briefly making the town his headquarters after his landing at Marsala two days earlier.

The town is currently headed by popular Italian politician and art critic Vittorio Sgarbi, who was elected as Mayor on June 30, 2008.

In September 2008 the town received a great deal of press coverage worldwide, as Mayor Vittorio Sgarbi announced in the Corriere della Sera that earthquake damaged houses in the Ancient Quarter of Salemi would be offered to willing buyers at a price of €1 (1.50 USD). In exchange for the cheap housing, the buyer would be obliged to renovate the house in accordance with the historical Sicilian architecture and atmosphere which the mayor hopes to create. Renovation must be completed within two years, using local artisans, masons, builders, and architects in order to jump-start the stagnant local economy. Renovation and rebuilding is estimated to cost 900-1200 euros per square metre that is approximately [1 sqm = 10.764 sq ft : 1EUro=1.42 U$D] U$D 119 - 158 per square foot so a house about 80 sqm will cost €80,000 (114,000 USD), although realistically if you purchase a much bigger house, about 400 sqm, then the cost could be as high as €425,000 (600,000 USD).

With the cheap housing, the mayor is hoping to turn Salemi into a popular vacation destination for the wealthy, the affluent, celebrities, and others who have the extra capital to expend on a real estate project.

Its regeneration that promotes inward investment and keeps the economy local.Newsweek have an article on their website, in which it says MIPC Italian property consultants have an automated application procedure on their website.