Property Description

Development Plot in Sicily – between Campofelice and Collesano

This untouched slice of nature in the hills of northern Sicily rolls downwards to the sea and offers dazzling views out across the warm Mediterranean. The 2.2 hectare (5.4 acre) plot is within minutes of the main provincial road which connects the coastal town of Campofelice di Roccella and the mountain village of Collesano. A short drive will bring you to either.

The hilly terrain offers privacy and seclusion, while the position some 350m above sea level catches a cooling breeze in summer.

Italy is full of beautiful houses, but for value, and the chance to own a property tailored exactly to your needs, you cannot beat finding a development plot in Sicily and building your own home.

Plot Montagnola has been in the seller’s family for generations. He spent his summers here as a child.

The Plot

The plot is bounded by an unobtrusive fence on all sides, and consists mainly of meadow, offering uninterrupted views over agricultural land and the beach beyond. A rocky outcrop at the eastern end of the plot gives relief and a bit of variety to the land. Obviously, a quick climb up here rewards you with the very best views of the area.

At the foot of this is the remains of a stone shepherd’s cottage dating back more than a century. Repurposed and integrated into the design of a new building, the sturdy stones of this ‘rustico’ would give instant character, and maintain a connection between the land’s new use and its history. You can see an old photo of this rustico, from many years ago, in the gallery above.

The plot also contains three olive trees and two pears and there is rocky hill on one side, from which it takes its name (montagnola = little rock). If you are green-fingered you will be interested to know that soil samples, we are told, suggest that the land would be particularly suited to growing herbs.

Surroundings

Directly adjacent to the property is a pasture in which a dairy herd can usually be found grazing. The cows belonging to a nearby ‘Azienda Agricola’, or independent farm, known in the area for its excellent cheese!

The road from Campofelice to Collesano formed part of the circuit of the world-famous Targa Florio rally. Motorsport has always been a passion in Italy, and the Targa was the world’s first ever sports car race. Both a competitive race and a classic car rally still pass along the road once every year.

This quiet stretch of coastline is dotted with sandy beaches, the nearest of which is less than 15 minutes by car. A little further afield is the picture-postcard resort of Cefalù. The area is connected to Sicily’s capital, Palermo, by motorway and a train which takes about 40 minutes from Campofelice station. The city has been booming in recent years, and was Italy’s Capital of Culture in 2018. Its international airport will keep you connected to all major European destinations.

Potential

With the land already registered as developable, you have permission to build up to 650m2 of buildings here. This would obviously allow for a house as big as you could dream, but would also be enough to build multiple homes, or perhaps a small holiday village. With the fertile soil, and complete peace and quiet, we could easily imagine a thriving wellness retreat or artistic community in these hills. With the flexibility of this being classified as a development plot, in Sicily the possibilities are endless.

If you’re thinking of starting a business here, we would be delighted to share our experience and help put you in touch with all the professionals you need to make your dream come true.

Buyers should allow for the need to build a 50m section of private road to access the property, which we estimate to cost between €4,500 and €5,000. Even allowing for this, we think that the price is very reasonable for this quality of development plot in Sicily’s beautiful hills.