A hill village that had to be given up and now stands as a ruin above the hills of Basilicata.
Craco lies south of Matera, about an hour away. Landslides and earthquakes made the place uninhabitable in the second half of the twentieth century; the residents were resettled.
What remains
Houses, churches and a tower on a ridge, surrounded by the bare, furrowed landscape of the calanchi. The place is uninhabited and feels it.
Visiting
Entry is possible only with a guide and a helmet – the fabric is unstable. The paths are uneven; sturdy shoes are a requirement.
Film here too
Craco has been a location several times, among others for The Passion of the Christ and a James Bond film – see Matera on film.
Still to be added: Opening times and booking arrangements for the guided tours – check before publication.
Read on
- Metaponto and the Ionian coast – in the same direction
- Day trips around Matera – all the destinations in overview
