Castiglione di Sicilia seen from above. Beautiful old village Perched on the cliffs on the northern slopes of Mount Etna, the small village of Castiglione di Sicilia overlooks the spectacular Alcantara valley, where deep pools with silver-white cliffs stand out against deep green trees and clear waterfalls squeeze. Etna is famous as Europe’s largest active volcano, attractive by scattered lava caves, pine forests and old lava flows. All create the majestic and special scenery of this area. Many visitors come here to experience activities such as hiking, rafting, canyoning, biking, horseback riding and lounging on the trails, through the dark lava-colored hills. Forests, olive groves, orange groves, hazelnut plantations and wine estates are scattered around the village, creating a pleasant rural atmosphere. Castiglione is known as the “city of wine” – a giant sculpture in the shape of a barrel and wine glass located at the entrance to the village. Thanks to the presence of many wineries, farms, restaurants, pubs, it is also a prime destination for food and wine tours. There are now more than 50 wineries in the region that produce and market wines internationally. Like many ancient villages in Italy, Castiglione di Sicilia consists of many “layered” houses on the hillside, bound together by small streets paved with lava stone. In addition to the charming scenery, this place is especially attractive because of the cultural heritage left over from the Middle Ages, reminiscent of an ancient Italy familiar in literature and art. Winding forest paths will lead you past crumbling Greek fortresses and Byzantine chapels with secret tunnels. According to many documents, Castiglione di Sicilia was founded on the ashes of prehistoric settlements in 403 BC by refugees from the coastal settlement of Naxos, near modern Taormina. Its name derives from the “Lion Castle”, Castiglione’s coat of arms still features two lions standing guard. For centuries it was a vibrant and powerful fief, one of Sicily’s most prosperous and strategic outposts. Roads and walls are made of dark lava cobblestone, while aristocratic residences are adjacent to modest houses. Located along the hillside, the town is divided into several districts at different elevations. The old center was a labyrinth of cobbled alleyways and buildings with gates decorated with gargoyles. Old dilapidated houses in Castiglione di Sicilia. Wish to be restored Despite its unique beauty, Castiglione di Sicilia recently made the world “shocked” when offering old houses here for 1 euro, equivalent to 1 cup of coffee. This is because in this town there are about 900 abandoned houses. About half have been destroyed and will be given away for a symbolic price of 1 euro (~1.2 USD). The rest are in better condition and will be sold cheaply, starting from 4,000 – 5,000 euros. The reason is that many of the town’s former residents have migrated to Australia and South America in search of a brighter future. Their descendants never returned, leaving many houses in ruins, the doorways covered with moss and prickly pear branches. The prolonged Covid-19 epidemic and tourism stagnation made the scene even more dreary because most of the old houses are located in the oldest parts of the town. For example, Giudecca, the Jewish quarter is full of abandoned stone houses with thick, dilapidated walls. Most of the empty buildings in this area have a unique appearance, shaped like small turrets, with various entrances from different streets. That’s why Mayor Antonino Camarda undertook an ambitious project to breathe new life into his village, whose population has dropped from 14,000 in the early 1900s to just 3,000 today. He told CNN: “We have a huge architectural legacy to rescue, filled with history. Over time, too many people have gone, leaving behind picturesque old houses, many houses even date back to the Renaissance.” Hopefully with such a “shock price”, the old houses in Castiglione di Sicilia will soon be noticed by investors and the village will soon be revived.

Etna Park. Lauria Castle Lauria Castle is located in the center of the town of Castiglione, born as a defensive fortress of the city on sandstone, surrounded by majestic defensive walls, it forms a perfect military defense with the rest of the Alcantara valley. From the highest point of the castle, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the valley. Currently, the castle only has the bell tower and some ruins of the walls and passages. Cuban Byzantine Church Near the Castiglione di Sicilia you can find a typical Byzantine building called Santa Domenica Cuba, one of the very few buildings of this architecture still standing in Sicily. This church is in the shape of a Greek cross with a square plan, a dome. Built of lava stone, stucco, and terracotta, Santa Domenica Cuba has been a national monument since 1909. The Alcantara . gorges Alcantara River Park is one of the most beautiful parks in Sicily. The fast-flowing Alcantara River has magnificently sculpted the surrounding area to its liking. Next to it are deep gorges with lava basalt walls created by the ancient eruptions of the Etna volcano. Therefore, it is said that the scenery here gives visitors a sense of the strange power of water and fire. Etna Park Etna Park is a protected natural area whose main purpose is the absolute preservation of the Etna Range, a world heritage site. This park is home to many animals such as hedgehogs, foxes and Etna wild cats… It also has a luxuriant flora including chestnuts, olives, oaks, birch, Etna broom… with vibrant colors, effectively contrasting with the black color of the lava rock. Piano Provenzana ski area. Piano Provenzana . ski area Piano Provenzana is a ski area located just a few minutes from town. A magical and fascinating place that combines the beauty of the typical alpine landscape with the landscape of the sea. From above, visitors can admire the whole area with 360-degree views.

Frank, whose full name is Francesco Lentini, was born on May 18, 1889 in Rosolini, Sicily (Italy). He is the 5th child in a family of 12 children. Although later known as the “Three-legged Man”, Frank actually had a few extra body parts. In addition to a full-sized third leg, extending from his right hip, he has another foot that protrudes from the knee of this leg and a second male genitalia. At 4 months old, Frank’s parents took their son to a specialist to determine the possibility of amputating his third leg. However, after careful examination, the doctor said that Frank’s condition was actually due to the phenomenon of parasitic twins. While still a fetus, his body “received” a part of the other twin. That’s why inside the Lentini there is a spine, but the pelvis and genitals, legs grow separately. His third leg was attached to his spine, and if removed, there is a risk of paralysis or even death. Frank’s appearance surprised everyone. Neighbors nicknamed him “u maravigghiusu” which means “weird” and “little monster”. Due to the stigma surrounding people, he was sent by his parents to live with his aunt and uncle. In time, these relatives took Frank to a home to raise children with disabilities. The boy noticed that the deaf, blind, and physically deformed children here did not complain about their defects. Frank then expressed: “Before, I thought I was the most unlucky person. But when I was at an orphanage for children with disabilities, I understood that there are many more unhappy people in the world than me. So life isn’t as bad as I thought it would be.” Gradually, Frank Lentini adapted to his abnormal body. He couldn’t walk on his extra leg, but later learned to straighten it. Frank practiced running, jumping, biking, rollerblading, even swimming. He said the extra leg gave him an advantage when in the water, it acted as a rudder. Frank Lentini completed the program until the end of 8th grade with the help of Giovannina Brogato, an Italian-born tutor. The star in the circus Frank Letini – the three-legged man. A wandering puppeteer named Vincenzo Magnano discovered the boy Frank. He convinces Frank’s parents, their son can become a star in the circus. Frank’s parents accepted their son to come to America. First, Frank toured with the Ringling Brothers, then he went to Bridgeport, Connecticut, the winter headquarters of the Barnum & Bailey Circus. At the time, the circus had a three-legged man, George Lippert, born in Germany. But Frank quickly eclipsed Lippert in terms of his performances. Posters call him “The Three-Legged Sicilian,” “The Greatest Medical Wonder of All Time,” or just “The Great Lentini.” When Frank Lentini joined the circus, he quickly became one of America’s most popular supporting artists, along with “The Bearded Lady,” “General Tom Thumb” and “Elephant Man.” Today, we view the display of people with physical disabilities as exploitation. But at that time, the circus gave Frank and the other supporting actors not only the opportunity to earn a living, but also become celebrities. As an adult, Frank Lentini weighs 80kg and is 169cm tall. He claims his extra body parts weigh between 10 and 13kg and often jokes that he ate 15% more food to fuel the appendages. On stage, Frank shows off his unique body and shows off his talents. He considers himself to be the only man in the world who doesn’t need his own chair and sits on his third leg as if he were sitting on a stool. His standout performance was kicking the ball with his third foot into the crowd. Frank also possesses a charming personality and quick wits. During his performance with a Q&A session, many curious fans asked about living with a third leg. When asked how to buy shoes, Frank replied: “I bought two pairs and gave the left shoe to a friend who is amputee. So you see, every time I buy a pair of shoes, I actually do a good deed!”. Life and career Frank Letini on a poster at a circus. In 1907, when Frank was 18 years old, he married a Massachusetts woman named Theresa Murray. They have four children, all healthy. At the shows, Frank sold a six-page pamphlet that tells his life story and gives advice for a healthy sex life. In this book, Frank advises pregnant women about a proper diet. He condemned adultery and promiscuity. He also discusses the causes and treatment of sexual dysfunction, among other topics. During his career, Frank toured with major circuses and became an American citizen at the age of 30. In 1935, Frank and Theresa separated. He lived with another woman named Helen Shupe for the rest of his life. His career spanned more than 40 years, until the end of his life he did not stop acting. In 1966, while touring with the Walter Wanous Side Show, Frank was hospitalized in Jackson, Tennessee. On September 21, 1966, Frank Lentini died of lung failure at the age of 77. In 2016, 50 years after his death, Lentini’s hometown of Rosolini in Sicily held a two-day celebration of their hometown’s special someone. In this memorial ceremony, many descendants of Frank near and far were also invited to attend.

Another town in Italy for sale of houses for 1 Euro On the slopes of Mount Etna, near luxury Taormina and the beaches of Sicily’s east coast, Castiglione di Sicilia has about 900 abandoned houses, most of which are located in the oldest areas of town. In it, about half was much destroyed and sold for a very cheap price, about 1 Euro, equivalent to 27,800 VND. Remaining units in better condition can be sold at prices ranging from 4,000 to 5,000 Euro, equivalent to 111 million to 139 million. Antonino Camarda, mayor of Castiglione di Sicilia, has carried out a number of ambitious projects that give new life to his town. It is known that the population here has decreased from 14,000 in the early 1900s to 3,000 today. Antonino Camarda said: “We have a huge architectural legacy that needs to be rescued, filled with historic traces. Over time, too many people have left, leaving picturesque old houses behind. , many houses have even been built since the “Renaissance”. While several other Italian towns that run similar programs have sold many homes for as little as € 1, Castiglione di Sicilia is pricing homes according to their condition. “We do some in-depth research on individual property portfolios based on maps and land registration data. Depending on the condition of the house, the prices are different, starting from scratch,” the mayor said. 1 Euro “. If a house has many interested people, they will hold the auction. The project reaches out to former owners who want to clean their homes and new buyers. People who want to buy a home in Castiglione di Sicilia have to complete the renovations within three years. However, unlike most other programs, homebuyers do not need a deposit. Meanwhile, local taxes in Sicily are lower than the rest of Italy. Perched on a cliff on the northern slopes of Mount Etna, Castiglione di Sicilia overlooks the Alcantara valley, home to breathtaking gorges and gorges. They form from volcanic lava eruptions many years ago. Trees, olive gardens, orange orchards, witch hazel plantations, and wineries are scattered around the area. On the hillsides of Etna, people grow a lot of grapes, raw materials to create high quality wine bottles. Castiglione was once dubbed the ‘city of wine’, right at the entrance to the town is a giant sculpture in the shape of a big barrel and a glass of wine. Castiglione di Sicilia was founded on the ashes of prehistoric settlements in 403 BC. The name of the town comes from “Lion’s Castle” and on Castiglione’s coat of arms there is also a picture of two lions standing guard. The town is a member of the I Borghi Pìu Belli d’Italia, the association of Italy’s most beautiful historic towns. Many streets and walls are made of dark lava pebbles while the adjoining aristocratic mansions are interspersed with simple houses. Located along the hillside, the town is divided into many communes and wards at different altitudes. The center is a maze of arched cobbled alleys and gargoyle buildings with gargoyles. Most of the abandoned houses in the area have a unique appearance, shaped like small turrets, with many different entrances. Marina di Cottone is close to town, about a 40-minute drive away with a long stretch of sand, ideal for families with children.

According to CNN, tourist vacations are increasingly slag due to travel restrictions and quarantine requirements in Italy. Panoramic town of Castiglione di Sicilia The town of Castiglione di Sicilia is located on the Italian island of Sicily, home to 900 abandoned houses – for sale for the price of a cup of coffee. These long-standing houses, of which about half are severely degraded, are for sale for a symbolic price of 1 euro (equivalent to $ 1.20). The remaining houses are in better condition and sold for around 4000-5000 euros. Mayor Antonino Camarda has carried out an ambitious project to blow new “life” into this village. The town’s population has declined from 14,000 in the 1990s to 3,000 today. The town of Castiglione di Sicilia is located east of Mount Etna. Photo: CNN “We have a huge historic architectural legacy that needs to be rescued. Over time, too many people have passed away and left behind picturesque old houses. also dates back to the Renaissance, “he said. Several other towns have carried out these campaigns and have already sold a lot of homes. Streets around town. Photo: CNN “We have done in-depth research on each property’s portfolio based on the map and land registration data. Depending on the conditions, the buildings will be sold at different prices,” said Camarda. emphasize. He also added that if many people are interested in the same property, an auction will be held. The town lies under the hillside. Launched in March 2021, this is the largest sales campaign with an estimated 4,000 properties in good condition and requiring minimal renovation. Prospective customers should have a detailed plan for the type of home they want to buy and find ways to improve it to best meet demand from the supply. A dedicated team will be set up to oversee the projects. The surrounding hills are famous for a wide variety of foods and wines. Photo: CNN With this project, the buyer will have to complete the renovation within 3 years. However, unlike other programs, buyers in this project do not have to make any deposits to ensure implementation progress. Instead, new owners are required to purchase an insurance policy from a 4000 euro bank. “New owners will have to pay 100 euros per year from the bank instead of a security deposit,” said Mr Camarda. Besides, local tax rates in Sicily are lower than in other regions of Italy. Buyers can benefit from the “super incentives” program of the Italian Government to improve their home to be more environmentally friendly. A photo corner of the town. Photo: CNN Located on a cliff on the northern slope of Mount Etna, the town of Castiglione di Sicilia overlooks the Alcantara valley – where there are many deep pools and canyons. Castiglione di Sicilia is formed by volcanic lava that has frozen after previous eruptions. From the town you can admire the beautiful landscape of the clear stream, pond, and waterfall. Trees, olive gardens, orange orchards, witch hazel plantations and wineries are scattered around the town. An old house image is for sale for 1 euro. Photo: CNN In the town, uninhabited buildings are uniquely designed, connecting to different streets and located on the winding main road leading to the majestic castle. Residents who once lived here have migrated to Australia and South America in search of a brighter future. Their children and grandchildren did not return, and the house gradually fell into oblivion. Therefore, the town government wants to find new owners to preserve the value of the long abandoned building.