Ghost town Craco in Italy: Fascinating lost place near Matera

It certainly looks somewhat spooky, the abandoned houses of a town perched on a hill in southern Italy . This is the former old town of Craco, now a lost place.

Craco lies between the heel and the toe of Italy's boot, and the population is reported at 585—strange for a lost place. No wonder, since only the old town of Craco is considered abandoned.

The reason for this was several landslides that occurred between 1959 and 1972. They almost completely destroyed the town, and in 1963, the locals had to be evacuated to safety. The cause of the landslides has never been conclusively determined, but it is suspected that work on the sewerage and water supply systems was to blame.

As a replacement, a new town was built in the valley for the residents and named the settlement Craco Peschiera. An earthquake in 1980 led to the town's final abandonment.

Today, Craco is on the World Monument Fund's list of endangered cultural monuments. Since the old town has been monitored by this system, the municipality has been able to secure EU funding and establish a guided tour. This allows interested parties to visit the ruined city, and conservation projects, restorations, concerts, exhibitions, and film screenings are taking place.

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Due to its beauty, the Old Town has become a popular tourist destination and has even been the setting for several films, including Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" there. The setting was used for scenes depicting the ascent to Calvary in Jerusalem.

The nearest larger towns in the area are Pisticci (20 kilometers) and Matera (60 kilometers). The nearest airport is about 120 kilometers away and is located in Bari. The easiest way to reach Craco is by car. While you can take the train to Pisticci, for example, there are no connections to Craco from there.

In addition, various tour operators offer day trips with transfers, for example, from Matera. However, these are very expensive, sometimes costing over €300. If you travel there yourself, a guided tour on site costs only €10. The Norman tower is considered a special landmark of the lost place; there is also a particularly beautiful church to see, the old city walls, and several stately homes are also considered highlights.

Craco is located in the province of Matera, within the Basilicata region . The region is generally sparsely populated and rural. The capital, Matera, was even the European Capital of Culture in 2019 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Particularly famous are the so-called Sassi, rock dwellings and churches that primarily comprise Matera's old town.

From Matera, it's not far to Metaponto and the sea. The large sandy beach also appeals to travelers seeking long days of sun. Aliano is a haven for adventure lovers, as the historic village sits high on a mountain ridge and is surrounded by gorges.

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