Norman Tower of Craco

The Norman tower is the highest point of old Craco, the ghost village of Basilicata. It rises from a rocky spur above the abandoned houses and the calanchi (badlands), and locals simply call it «il castello» (the castle).

History

The tower was the heart of the ancient fief of Cracum, documented in 1164, and its history is intertwined with that of the families who ruled the town, from the Normans to the Sanseverino and the Vergara. Around it the village grew in the 15th century, with the grand Maronna, Grossi, Carbone and Simonetti palazzi. After the landslide of 1963 the town was abandoned, but the tower, built on bedrock, has survived and still dominates the skyline of Craco.

What to see

• The tower standing against the sky, Craco’s most photographed image.
• The views over the calanchi and the Cavone and Agri valleys.
• The houses and palazzi tumbling down the cliff at its foot.

How to visit

Old Craco can only be visited with authorised guides, wearing a helmet, along a route that has been made safe. The ticket office and starting point are at the Convent of San Pietro, home of the Museo Emozionale. Tickets can also be bought online.

Useful information

• Comfortable, non-slip shoes are needed; helmets are provided at the entrance.
• The guided tour is in Italian; an English audio guide is available for those who don’t speak Italian.
• Along the route you will also see the Mother Church of San Nicola.