Five is her lucky number. Chicago resident Meredith Tabbone was keen to buy the two adjoining houses in Sambuca. In the Sicilian village where her great-grandfather came from, she had big plans. She bid $5,555 - four fives. And was lucky. The 43-year-old was awarded the tender. 2019 was when Sambuca first gained international fame. The deputy mayor had offered empty houses to prevent the village from dying out. Minimum bid: one euro.

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