Italian Ghost Towns - Craco

Craco is an abandoned “comune” of the Province of Matera (Italy), which is characterised by a very stark appearance. Constructed on the highest side of the hilltop, it overlooks the Cavone River alley; its territory is very diverse, with a predominance of gullies, deep furrows in a chalky soil by descent to the valley of rainwater. Due to recurring earthquakes and to a disastrous landslip, probably caused by terrible works of infrastructure: sewer and water systems, the city had been deserted in 1963. The fortune of the country, in its ancient past was due to its strategic location between the river valleys of the Tschafon and Agri, formerly navigable as well as privileged ways for anyone wishing to cross the inner Basilicata. In fact, the tower of Craco formed, together with other fortifications of the area as the Petrolla of Montalbano, the Norman-Swabian castle of Pisticci and the castle of San Basilio, a network of towers able to guarantee the absolute control of the whole area. In the fifteenth century, the city expanded around four palaces:
·         Maronna Palace, near the tower that dominates the country, is characterized by a beautiful monumental brick entrance and a large terraced balcony
·         Palazzo Grossi, close to the Mother Church, has a high portal architrave, frameless. The upper floors are covered with ribbed vaults and are decorated with floral motifs enclosed in medallions. Part of the windows and balconies retain wrought iron railings
·         Carbone Palace, built at the end of 400, has a monumental entrance. In the eighteenth century it was renovated and expanded
·         Palazzo Simonetti
Still visible are the ruins of a tower, called by Craco’s inhabitants "the castle”. For almost six decades, Craco appears today as it was then, that as a country frozen and never lived. According to many fans of the paranormal, ghosts would haunt the streets of the town and disturbing noises and voices would have been heard. Believe it or not, a walk to the town center is really a special experience, evocative, mystical, dark-hued and melancholy. Among the ruins of the walls and the palace, between the castle and the church, the ghost town offers you excitement to no end. No wonder if this place of charm and magic has been the set of many national and not sets. "The Lupa" by Alberto Lattuada, "Christ Stopped at Eboli" by Francesco Rosi, "Nativity" by Catherine Hardwicke, "The Passion of the Christ" by Mel Gibson, "007 - Quantum of Solace," by Marc Forster, and "Basilicata coast to coast" by Rocco Papaleo. In this city suggestions are not fiction, but solid reality: Welcome to Cracow, the ghost town!

Important Advice:
Anyone who wants to venture in Craco must keep in mind that it is forbidden to approach the houses, since there is the danger of collapse. However, the panorama that can be admired from the foot of the village there will amply repay the time taken to reach it. Going to Craco with a specialized guide means being able to see the country safely and be able to make out the most beautiful sights that will be framed in the right historical context.
http://www.comune.craco.mt.it/cracocard/dettagli.html