Dream of owning your own island? Now you can in sunny Sicily.
Ever dreamed of owning your own Italian private island? Now is the time to make that dream into reality. An aristocratic family is selling it’s private island in Sicily for a lot less than the price of a holiday villa or an apartment in most major cities. The reason for this lucky opportunity is that like many other upper-class families in Italy, they are struggling to afford the upkeep of estates they've owned for centuries.
Just a stone’s throw from a town of the same name lies the breathtaking Isola delle Femmine (“The Island of Women”). It’s a rugged, picture-perfect atoll set amid the equally dramatic backdrop of Sicily. The 37-acre, oval-shaped island is a mix of sloping grassland and craggy limestone cliffs. Isola delle Femmine is packed with history. The island’s only structure is a crumbling, though beautiful, 17th-century stone tower originally used to protect the mainland from pirate raids. The ancient tower rises on a tall grassy hill. It was part of a defensive network of look-out fortresses built to protect Sicily's coasts from Saracen pirate raids.
There are ancient Greek and Roman stone and lime mortar basins once used to prepare a gourmet fermented fish sauce dubbed garum, alongside old wells and basins to collect rainwater. Furthermore, there's a 360-degree view from the top stretching to the island of Ustica.
Legend has it that 13 Turkish maidens cast adrift by their families as punishment for misdemeanors took refuge on the island after their boat was hit by a storm. They lived there happily ever after. The tales have given rise to spooky sightings."People say they've seen the ghost of a girl happily strolling along the beach, singing and dancing, but these are just stories," says Pilo Bacci. Wandering ships caught in storms often find shelter in its inlets. The shores are made of tiny white pebbles and there's one sandy beach with a little cove to park dinghies and fishing boats. There's a rich eco-system of birds and over 120 plant species. The typical Mediterranean landscape is dotted with bright purple-white Iris flowers and is home to hares and unique colorful butterflies.The coast is a popular spot for diving and snorkeling, thanks to plenty of coral, lobsters, and other sea life. If you travel to nearby Palermo you can visit delightful seafood restaurants and do your shopping. What else could one desire?
The island was first listed at 3.5 million euros (approximately $4 million), but the family didn’t receive a single bid. They’ve since announced they’ll entertain offers between 1 and 3 million euros, but admit they’re most likely to receive something around the 1.5-million euro mark. The unusually low price tag is a product of Italy’s current housing market. In the listing, the agent also suggests that the island could be the perfect 'trophy asset'.‘New owners can apply for tax incentives and funding from the European Union if they come up with a development project that respects the surrounding nature.’ So if you have always dreamed of your own island or a vacation residence in sunny Italy, the time is now.
If you would like to enquiry about this beautiful island then get in touch with us on +44 (0) 20 3137 5067 we can help you acquire it.
