Craco, the ghost town

A medieval village perched on a cliff, abandoned after the 1963 landslide. Today it can be visited on guided tours and has been the set of many films.

Craco is the famous medieval ghost town in the province of Matera, Basilicata, known for its dramatic depopulation caused by landslides from the 1960s onwards.

History and origins

• Ancient origins: the first traces go back to the Greeks in the 8th century BC, while the original name Graculum (“small ploughed field”) is recorded around 1060.
• Medieval growth: over the centuries the village grew around the Norman tower and the defensive stronghold, shaped by Byzantine monks and several noble rulers.
• Decline and abandonment: because of the fragile clay soil and the badlands, a severe landslide in 1963 forced the authorities to evacuate the historic centre. Further landslides and the 1980 Irpinia earthquake led to the final abandonment of Old Craco, whose inhabitants moved to the nearby modern settlement of Craco Peschiera.

What to see in Old Craco

• Norman Tower: the highest point of the village, dating from the Norman period.
• Mother Church of San Nicola: a historic church overlooking the ruins of the village.
• Convent of San Pietro Apostolo: a 17th-century Franciscan complex that welcomes visitors with a well-preserved cloister.
• Noble palaces: the remains of historic residences such as Palazzo Carbone, Palazzo Grossi and Palazzo Maronna.
• Film set: thanks to its unique, surreal atmosphere, Craco has been chosen by many international directors for well-known films (including Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ).

Visitor information

• Access: for safety reasons you cannot enter Old Craco on your own. Visits take place only with authorised guides, wearing a safety helmet.
• Tickets and card: you need the Craco Card, available at the info point or at the monastery/media library.

More details on tickets, special events and bookings are available on the website of the Pro Loco Craco.