If you have visited Italy before, you have likely toured some main cities — like Rome, Florence, or the Amalfi Coast. Or maybe you’ve explored deeper into a few of the thousands of borghi (small villages).
Either way, we all know that the incredible landscapes, vast blue seas, and inviting cobblestones of the country are always breathtaking each time you visit. However, you may not be aware that the Bel Paese also has more to offer — spectacular, cinematic, uninhabited ghost towns!
According to various reports, more than 2,300 towns in Italy are at risk of depopulation, with 136 borghi already completely abandoned and 46 on their way out. Interestingly, all Italian regions have at least one abandoned town, with Tuscany leading the rank with 19 ghost towns.
Here’s an interactive map we’ve created – click to open it – to show you where some of the most beautiful Italian ghost towns are located. You can use this map to integrate a few abandoned towns into your visits to inhabited towns!
When and why were these Italian towns abandoned?
Most of these towns were negatively impacted by the rise of urban cities sparked by the economic boom of the ’60s. A third of them, instead, were abandoned for natural events like earthquakes, floods, and landslides. War events left a tiny fraction behind, especially during World War II.
Why are these Italian ghost towns worth a visit?
While many are in a complete state of abandonment—some wholly reduced to rubble—roughly 120 ghost towns have been restored or are in the restoration process.
This means that many of them offer, through renovated trails, an interesting picture of how these communities used to live. Some of them, like Craco, offer unique, stunning scenery that is a movie lover’s dream destination. For those interested in the topic, these towns also offer an opportunity for urbex—or urban exploration.
It’s worth noting that apart from the 120 ghost towns in decent condition, the leftovers are either in rubble, flooded, or in any such condition that is not advised to visit them. In this guide, aside from Poggioreale (which you can only see from the outside), we will only introduce you to safe and at least partially accessible, following each town’s officials’ recommendations.
Let’s get spooky!
1) Craco – Basilicata
In the region of Basilicata, Craco is arguably the most famous Italian ghost town. Its worldwide recognition comes from its use as a filming location for popular major motion pictures.
For example, Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” was filmed in Craco and the nearby city of Matera. The ghost town has also been the movie set for scenes of “007: Quantum of Solace “by Marc Forster and many other movies/commercials.
For this reason, the abandoned town is the preferred location of thousands of movie buffs.
Craco is located at an altitude of 1,300 feet (or 400 meters) and is still partially inhabited. As of today, about 700 inhabitants live in the rebuilt part of the municipality—Craco Peschiera—along the valley of the old town that started to slide down in 1963.
Until then, Craco was considered “the wheat village “; The grain production was so large the original population of the village could not handle the cultivation of the land owned by wealthier families.
How to Visit Craco (Accessible With a Guide)
Thanks to organized tours that the township of Craco has launched since 2011, you can now visit this ancient gem.
PLEASE NOTE: The old part of Craco is closed to the public for safety reasons. It can only be accessed with a helmet and in the presence of a certified guide who can illustrate how much there is still left and recognizable after the collapses and years of oblivion while leading the visitor along the permitted route.
To visit the old town, you need a Craco Card at the reception office in Via Sant’Angelo, old Craco. Directions for the reception are well signaled around the city and open all year round from 9:30 am to sunset. A ticket will cost you €10.00 for a 1-hour visit to the ruins around the old town, €15.00 for a 2-hour visit that includes St. Peter’s monastery and the M.E.C. (Emotional Craco Museum). With €5.00 more, you can ask for an English-guided tour or €10.00 for a Japanese tour. You’ll also be given a helmet for your safety throughout the tour.
No scheduled tours are fixed based on the turnout, so some may be waiting before starting.
If you plan to spend the night in the area, you could get accommodation in Pisticci – a town 20 minutes away. Or, if you’re on your way to the beautiful Matera (45 minutes away), you could spend the night there.
2) Pentedattilo – Calabria (The “Hand of the Devil”)
In the winter, when the wind blows violently through the mountain gorges, you will still be able to hear the screams of the [massacre of] Marquis Alberti.
Adele Sergi in “il Metropolitano”
There’s not a more interesting and haunting ghost town than Pentedattilo in Italy. Its difficult name derives from the Greek words Penta daktilos (five fingers). The Greeks must have named the town after the giant hand-shaped rock around which the village is embedded.
Pentedattilo is located in the province of Reggio Calabria and is technically part of the municipality of Melito Porto Salvo. It is 800ft (250m) high and has always represented a strategic location for its conquerors because it can overlook the entire surrounding Sant’Elia valley.
After the Greeks founded it in 640 BC and the Romans took it over, the village became a private landholding and was passed from hand to hand to various noble families. It was then acquired by the Alberti family with the title of Marquis, and that’s where the history of this town was marked (with blood!).
The Massacre of Alberti
In 1686, the Alberti family reached an agreement to try to soothe the longtime rivalry with the Abenavoli family—former feudal lords of the village. The agreement included Baron Bernardino Abenavoli marrying Marquis Alberti’s daughter. Yet Lorenzo Alberti unexpectedly gave his sister’s hand to the son of the Viceroy of Naples. The breach of the agreement enraged Bernardino Abenavoli.
On the night of April 16, 1686, Bernardino Abenavoli, with a group of armed men, entered the castle of Pentedattilo and killed everyone (even Lorenzo Alberti’s 9-year-old brother) except for his beloved, now bride of the Viceroy of Naples. She responded immediately by organizing a military expedition to kill all of the perpetrators of the massacre. They were beheaded, and their heads were hung on the battlements of the Pentedattilo Castle.
Many legends followed this bloody massacre. It’s been nicknamed “the Hand of the Devil”. That’s because the stone towers on the outside of the town look like fingers covered in blood, representing the hand of Baron Abenavoli.
Together with this dreadful event, Pentedattilo was struck on several occasions by extreme natural disasters. The most dramatic event was the earthquake of 1783, which threatened the collapse of the rock surrounding the town. In 1968, it was declared uninhabitable and abandoned after a three-year period. Today, the ancient village is a tourist and cultural icon of the region of Calabria.
How to Visit Pentedattilo (Free Access)
No restrictions are imposed on visiting Pentedattilo. Volunteers from all over the world helped redevelop the area, and nowadays, a few local artisans have even opened their shops in the town. Plus, you can stay in the ghost town in one of the beautiful, recently built Case Rurali (rural homes).
Located only 18 miles (30 km) away from Reggio Calabria and 5 miles (8km) from Melito Porto Salvo (the township it belongs to), you should try to get to Melito Porto Salvo first (likely by train). If you love hiking, you could walk to Pentedattilo (2.5 hours), or if you’re in town during one of the summer festivals, you could use one of the buses. As always, check Omio for transportation solutions and booking.
Some of the most vibrant times to visit the ghost town were during the two summertime festivals: the Pentedattilo Film Festival (usually in September) and the Paleariza Festival (an event that celebrates the Hellenic culture, primarily through music, that has varying dates and several locations). It seems these have currently stopped but may become available again in the future. Be sure to ask the locals when you arrive.
3) Civita di Bagnoregio – Lazio (The “Dying Town”)
If you’re visiting Rome and want to drive to Florence, you want to stop in Civita di Bagnoregio on your way there. Why? Because you’ll want to see a town built 2,500 years ago, that is populated by only 12 inhabitants and only accessible by a walking bridge. It is dubbed “La città che muore” (“The dying town “) because of the slow yet continuous erosion of the hill on which it sits. Piece after piece, the structures and the life of this Italian ghost town are being taken away.
But Civita is not dead yet. On any day, tourists will be seen around its narrow streets and piazze (squares). An Italian writer described this as a communal autopsy: the village only finds peace at night when tourists leave, and there are 12 inhabitants (or up to 100 inhabitants in the summer) in their dwellings.
The semi-abandoned village is connected to the world through a concrete bridge built in 1965 where only residents can drive their bicycles/motorbikes. Tourists have to walk! In the past, though, before the surrounding areas collapsed, you could have entered Civita through 5 portals – a standard gateway among many other Etruscan-built villages.
How to Visit Civita di Bagnoregio (Free Access)
Unlike other ghost towns, Civita di Bagnoregio is safe to visit. You can even eat in some of the trattorie (informal restaurants) and stay overnight in one of the beautiful stays.
Tip: When booking, be sure that it is located in the Civita, not simply in “Bagnoregio,” which is the more modern town nearby. You might still need to query only “Bagnoregio” and then scroll through those located in the Civita.
In regards to how to get there, if you’re not driving, you can arrive by train or bus from Rome. I recommend using Omio for suggestions on transportation and bookings in Italy.
Once you are there, immerse yourself in the village’s ancient history by visiting the many palazzi (palaces) belonging to noble families, the main church in San Donato Square, and the Belvedere—a tiny square facing the northern cliff of Civita offering a stunning view of the entire surrounding valley.
A €5.00 ticket will be required upon entrance to the village, which allows the local administration to complete conservation work. You can also book a group or private (max four persons) tour directly on the township’s website or book a separate day tour package. The certified guides can speak English, German, or Italian.
Enjoy!
4) Poggioreale – Sicily (The “Little Pompeii”)
Visiting relatives in Sicily? Stop by the ruins of Poggioreale, an hour away from Palermo and Trapani. It has been declared one of the biggest significant towns on the European continent, so much so that it is called “La Piccola Pompei”—The Tiny Pompeii. It is also called this because everything there has remained intact after the infamous 1968 earthquake.
Poggioreale was founded in 1642 by Marquis Francisco Morso di Gibellina after a decree of the king of Spain, Filippo IV, allowed him to build in the area. The village’s name means “Hill (Poggio) of the king (Reale).”
Unfortunately, this once-thriving village rich in noble palaces saw its unfortunate end in January 1968. On January 14, the first earthquake hit the area around 1:30 pm. Much of the population, luckily, had left the village prior and had spent that night away from their dwellings. Following this, a second series of 16 earthquakes shook the entire valley for 20 hours around 3:00 am on January 15, causing 370 casualties.
Many of the towns in the valley were destroyed, and Poggioreale was forever rid of its inhabitants. Local officials decided not to rebuild the city because it was too costly, and the earthquakes revealed the poor quality with which the buildings had been made. For this reason, the new Poggioreale was moved just a few miles south.
How to Visit the Ruins of Poggioreale (Prohibited)
Visiting the ruins of Poggioreale (or, for the locals, Poggioreale antica) means jumping back to 1968. Photographers in the area know that a stop in these stunning ruins is a must.
At this time, it is prohibited to enter and visit the ruins. If you attempt to stop by the entrance on any day, you’ll find the entrance barred. If you try to trespass, the local police could fine you.
5) Savogno – Lombardy (1 inhabitant)
If you’re visiting Lake Como and love to hike, look no further: Savogno has to be on your list! This ghost town has only one inhabitant left and can only be accessed by a 2,886-step hike. It is worth your visit!
Savogno is technically part of the village of Piuro in the very northern part of Lombardy. It is only a few miles away from the Swiss border and sits on top of a natural terrace at an altitude of 3,050ft (930m).
It was founded in the Middle Ages and still preserves all the characteristics of a typical Middle-Age village. Although it represented a strategic transit point to Coira (or Chur, an important town in Switzerland during that period), Savogno was depopulated in the 60s. Like in many other small villages, residents left because they couldn’t resist the call to the booming urban areas in those years.
Only one resident has decided to live permanently in the ghost town. In the summer, many old residents repopulate Savogno, returning from the more easily accessible villages down the valley.
How to Visit Savogno (Partially Accessible)
The abandoned town of Savogno is freely accessible. If you visit it in the summer, you will likely not be the only tourist there since it is a unique hike to do from the Alps.
To get to Savogno, you need to get to its parent town, Piuro, first. It is located a few miles north of Lake Como, and you can either drive (2 hours from Milan) or take a train to the nearby town of Chiavenna (2h45m from Milan). As per usual, I highly recommend Omio to organize and book your transportation within Italy.
Once in Piuro, you can start to walk your way up to Savogno. The path to the ghost town starts in the parking lot in front of the gorgeous Acquafraggia Falls and is 2,886 steps to Savogno. If you’re an avid hiker, you can continue to hike to the nearby ghost town of Dasile (30 minutes away) or the stunning Acquafraggia lake – at an altitude of 6,500ft (2,000m), three hours walking up from Savogno.
If you don’t want to return to Piuro at night, you could even stay in Savogno at the “Rifugio Savogno“ (mountain house). Otherwise, you can book a hotel in the nearby area.
Enjoy!
6) Romagnano al Monte – Campania
Of all the abandoned towns in Italy, Romagnano al Monte is one of the most breathtaking (and scariest). Why? Its old part is perched upon a 2,100 ft (640m) cliff overlooking the Bianco River valley.
If you are driving the A2 highway from Potenza to Salerno and look closely you will be able to notice its picturesque ruins and wonder how these buildings could stand on such a sharp cliff!
The 376 inhabitants of the new Romagnano were forced to move to the nearby locality of Ariola after the 1980 earthquake. The sad truth is that the village underwent many misfortunes throughout its history. After it was founded in 1167AD (the year the first written document was found about the town), there is evidence of:
- A plague epidemic and an earthquake in the 17th century;
- A severe famine in the 18th century that left the survivors looking like “living skeletons, “as per the definition of a local archpriest
- A 1857 earthquake, 7.0 Richter scale that forced the survivors to live in huts for years;
- The infamous abovementioned 1980 earthquake forced the population out of the old town for good.
How to Visit Romagnano al Monte (Partially Accessible)
Access to the old Romagnano al Monte is currently limited due to renovation work that impedes access to some of its streets. Considering its unusual position, there are not many streets/entrances to the old town.
You can peek at the ruins regardless of the status of the renovation works by driving up the mountain through the SP85 roadway and following your GPS/smartphone directions for “ruderi di (ruins of) Romagnano al Monte.” For the adventure seekers, some visitors reported hidden routes that can take you to the heart of the old town. We recommend following the instructions of the signals/locals for the latest accessway status.
If you plan to spend the night in the area, you could stay in the nearby town of Buccino.
Conclusion
These ghost towns are part of the history of Italy and should not be forgotten in place of the modern. It’s a unique experience that gives you a touch of the surreal and supernatural. Even a few hours out of your way here will help to give you some perspective and another taste of adventurer for the world traveler.