Craco is a comune and town in Basilicata which was built perched on a very high summit for defensive reasons. A typical medieval hilltown in many ways, it is highly atypical in another; since the 20th century, the town has been abandoned with residents having moved away for various reasons. Today, it is a tourist destination which is visited by outsiders and old residents each year. Craco's stark and beautiful appearance has also led to its usage, on several occasions, in the backgrounds of frames of movies and as a setting for particular scenes. If you want to wander the town yourself, find a holiday rental in Basilicata and spend a day there.
The area was first inhabited by the Greeks during the sixth century BC. The first feudal rule came in the 12th century. By the 13th, a university was established in town and the distinctive castle was built. Between the 13th and 16th centuries, the population of the town had more than quadrupled and the town grew in size and sophistication. In 1799, the people of the town overthrew the feudal system and Craco became part of the Kingdom of Italy. Sadly, shortly after this new beginning, serious structural issues became apparent in the town. Poor agricultural conditions forced hundreds to leave for the United States and earthquakes and landslides saw the remaining inhabitants leave for neighbouring villages.
By 1991, the town was entirely abandoned. During the twentieth century into the twenty-first, Craco has become a movie set on occasion and was featured in “King David”, “Passion of the Christ” and “Quantum of Solace”, among others.
Along with the castle, there are other fascinating remnants that can still be explored including the main church of the city, Chiesa Madre San Nicola, built in the 14th century and dedicated to San Nicola of Bari, patron saint of the town. The church of Santa Maria della Stella is a small chapel on the side of the hill and is used in paying homage to the Virgin Mary. The church of Sant’ Angelo is located on the only liveable part of the town.
It is home to religious artefacts such as the mummified body of San Vincenzo, another patron saint. Six festivals still take place in Craco from May to October such as the St. Vincenzo Martire Fair, the Madonna della Stella, the San Nicola and the Madonna di Monserrato festivals.
Tours of the city are available and recommended as the guides will talk you through safety procedures and equip visitors with hard hats. The fee charged for these is also used to maintain the city for future generations, so your money is going to a worthy cause. Any trip to Basilicata would be very much enriched by stopping by to see this unusual sight.
Along with the castle, there are other fascinating remnants that can still be explored including the main church of the city, Chiesa Madre San Nicola, built in the 14th century and dedicated to San Nicola of Bari, patron saint of the town. The church of Santa Maria della Stella is a small chapel on the side of the hill and is used in paying homage to the Virgin Mary. The church of Sant’ Angelo is located on the only liveable part of the town.
It is home to religious artefacts such as the mummified body of San Vincenzo, another patron saint. Six festivals still take place in Craco from May to October such as the St. Vincenzo Martire Fair, the Madonna della Stella, the San Nicola and the Madonna di Monserrato festivals.
Tours of the city are available and recommended as the guides will talk you through safety procedures and equip visitors with hard hats. The fee charged for these is also used to maintain the city for future generations, so your money is going to a worthy cause. Any trip to Basilicata would be very much enriched by stopping by to see this unusual sight.
Photo credits
picture 1: Andrea Tomassi / CC BY-SA 2.0;
picture 2: Idéfix / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Idéfix / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 1: Andrea Tomassi / CC BY-SA 2.0;
picture 2: Idéfix / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Idéfix / CC BY-SA 3.0
