For nearly 50 years, the town of Craco in southern Italy was uninhabited. Here, the dark windows look out at potential visitors like empty eye sockets and the streets and buildings of this medieval town appear to have been emptied overnight, abandoned. in a state of decay.
Craco was once a monastic center, feudal town, and educational center with a university, castle, cathedral, and squares. Today, thanks to its dramatic scenery and unique atmosphere, Craco has been the setting for many films, including Saving Grace, James Bond’s Quantum of Solace, and the hanging of Judas scene in The Passion of the Christ. Mel Gibson .
Craco: A medieval village associated with the Bronze Age
Craco is a medieval village located in Italy’s earthquake-prone Basilicata region, about 40 kilometers (27 miles) inland from the Gulf of Taranto in the instep of Italy’s “boot.” The settlement occupies a rock formation above the surrounding hills with architecture built neatly into the landscape. Strategically located atop a 400-meter (1,300 ft) cliff, overlooking the arid countryside of southern Italy, this ghost town once provided panoramic views and warnings of potential attackers. power.
The city was founded around 540 AD by Greeks who migrated inland from the Basilicata coast. Back then Craco was called “Montedoro”. Graves found here date back to the 8th century, which suggests the original settlement dates back to the Iron Age. The first documented mention of Craco dates from 1060 AD, when the land was owned by Archbishop Arnaldo, Bishop of Tricarico. He called this area “GRACHIUM” which means “from the small plowed field”. Craco’s oldest building, the Norman Tower, was built in 1040 and many of Craco’s buildings date from the medieval period.
Norman Tower, Craco, Itlay (Michela R/ CC BY NC ND 2.0 )
From 1154 to 1168, control of the village passed to “Eberto”, who established the first feudal control over the town. In 1179, Roberto di Pietrapertos became ruler of Craco and in 1276 a university was founded. It was during this period that the landmark Castle Tower was built under the direction of Attendant Sforza, and in 1293 under Federico II it became a prison.
By the 15th century, four large squares had developed in the town including Palazzo Maronna, Palazzo Grossi, Palazzo Carbone and Palazzo Simonetti.
The rise and fall of Craco
Craco’s population increased from 450 in 1277 to 2,590 in 1561 and averaged about 1,500 in the following centuries. The construction of St. Peter’s Monastery in 1630 helped establish a lasting monastic order. In an agricultural community built largely on the production of grain, oil, vegetables, wine and cotton, the monastery helped boost the economy through the introduction of science and religion.
However, in 1656, a plague struck Craco, killing hundreds and greatly reducing its population. By the end of the 19th century, the city reached its maximum limit of expansion. A severe famine caused by poor agricultural conditions caused a mass migration of Craco’s population, about 1,300 people, to North America between 1892 and 1922.
Because Craco is built on a hill, consisting of clay-rich soil with various red, green and dark gray clays, with varying degrees of drainage, the terrain is very unstable. This caused Craco to be affected by many landslides of natural origin in 1600, 1805, 1857 and 1933.
In existence for over a thousand years, the town survived plagues and its share of thieves and robbers, but eventually succumbed to natural disasters when landslides occurred in the 1950s to early 1990s. 1970.
Despite their precarious living conditions, many “Crachesi” (inhabitants of Craco) remain very attached to their beautiful medieval town and refuse to leave. In the 1950s, the town’s land conditions worsened, causing many landslides and making the town and buildings dangerous to live in. Periodic earthquakes are a secondary cause of destruction.
Ruins of Craco, Italy. ( Tiziano Casadio /Adobe Stock)
In 1963, the last 1,800 residents were forced to leave Craco for their own safety and were moved to Craco Peschiera, a new town in the valley just a few kilometers away. For years, displaced citizens were forced to live in tent cities and barracks as the government struggled to create housing options for those affected.
Patron Saint of Craco: San Vincenzo
The medieval churches of Craco remain the focal point of the settlement and six religious festivals are held in the city each year from May to October. There is a small church containing the religious relics of the mummy of Saint Vincenzo, the town’s patron saint of martyrs. San Vincenzo was a soldier in the Legion of Tebea, General Massimiliano’s army in 286 AD, who was martyred for refusing to renounce Christianity and worship Emperor Marco Aurelio. His relics were brought to the town on June 4, 1792 and moved to the new church after the fall of the old town. Inside the coffin was the wax body of the martyr, dressed as a Roman soldier and lying in a reclining position.
Reclining statue of San Vincenzo, patron saint of Craco, Italy. (Thecracosociety/ CC BY SA 3.0 )
Modern Craco: Tourist and festival destination
Today, Craco is abandoned, looted, overgrown, and inaccessible to the public except for guided tours. While the town has been destroyed, some buildings, palaces and churches remain intact with original features such as shutters, balustrades and frescoes serving as reminders of the life that once existed outside. in the walls.
In addition, the village receives visits from tourists and occasionally produces films. Like other ghost towns in rural Italy, Craco is now the focus of conservation efforts. In 2010, it was added to the Watch List by the World Monuments Fund. As tourism has increased, local authorities have also secured both EU and regional funding to organize concerts, festivals and cultural events as well as funding to help maintain venues.
Top photo: The abandoned medieval village of Craco in Italy. Source: Tupungato /Adobe Stock
