Cursed town 'shunned by God' and abandoned after disasters but attracts visitors
A medieval town that according to locals was "shunned by God" has been left abandoned due to a series of natural disasters - but thanks to its 1,400-year history, it still attracts visitors to this day.
Craco, the most famous ghost town in the Basilicata region in southern Italy, survived the Black Plague, which killed hundreds of residents, and was raided by bands of thieves for centuries - but in 1963, a landslide destroyed what was once a glorious city and forced the population to move to the underlying valley, in the village of Peschiera. The town, perched on a hill, was since left at the mercy of nature, but its crumbling buildings and fascinating history have not been left unnoticed.
The town, on a 400-metre cliff, was founded in the 8th century and boasts panoramic views. It is located around 50km from Matera, a picturesque city known for its caves, churches, monasteries, and houses carved in stone, which attracts millions of tourists every year.
Craco was abandoned after a landslide (Getty Images/iStockphoto)After being hit by earthquakes and landslides, Craco finally caved in on itself near the millennium but even without residents, it is still a popular tourist destination nowadays. The town's castle, built in 1300, dominates the view from the cliff and a church houses a statue of the Virgin Mary that was discovered in a nearby body of water.
Visitors can now enjoy amazing views and discover the history of the medieval town, and from May to October six yearly festivals are held in Craco. The ghost town has also been a film set for major movies including Mel Gibson's The Passion and the 2008 James Bond film Quantum of Solace.
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Craco stands on a hill and boasts panoramic views (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Guided tours now let visitors explore the town's ruins wearing hard hats, but only 35 people are allowed in at a time due to safety reasons. The remaining area of the town has two tall towers which no longer have bells, rusty balconies, and medieval buildings covered in overgrown weeds.
The structure of Craco Vecchia - old Craco - dates back to between 1154 and 1168, when it became an important military strategic centre during the reign of Frederick II. When visiting Craco with a guided tour, you can walk along the main street and reach the old main square. Among the noble palaces, there is one named Palazzo Grossi, as well as another one called Palazzo Maronna. Visitors can also admire old churches including that of Saint Egilio and Madonna della Stella. Guided tours cost €10 (£8.60) per person.
The inside area of a fascinating home in Craco (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Recently the town's majesty was captured by Dutch photographers Roman Robroek and Sven van der Wal, who shared drone footage on their YouTube channel ‘boyswithdrones’. "The vantage point makes for an incredibly stunning and artful sight," Roman said. "The town has many ties to its environment and the aesthetics of the local surroundings. "This is what makes it beautiful. But ultimately, also what contributed to its demise!"
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