In the southern Italian region of Basilicata, located between Puglia and Calabria, lies the ghost town of Craco, close to Matera, one of the oldest cities in the world. Craco, perched on a rock some 400 meters above sea level, was founded in the 8th century BC by Greeks fleeing a malaria epidemic in the plains below. Almost 2000 years later, from the 10th century onwards, Byzantine monks developed agriculture there. In the Middle Ages, the town was known as a strong local stronghold. Located on a hill, this site became a strategic location for military observation and defense, especially thanks to its Norman tower, which can still be visited today. In the 15th century, this prosperous town had four luxurious palaces, but in the 19th century it came under threat from the many bandits found in the area.
But that story changed in 1963, when the town’s population was just under 2,000. A series of landslides destroyed houses and forced residents to evacuate to nearby villages. Some residents continued to live in Craco, but the village was again destroyed by floods in 1972. The final blow came in the form of an earthquake in 1980. The last holdouts gathered and left, leaving Italy as a ghost town.
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Since then, Craco has remained (almost) untouched and is home to mystical legends. The Canzoniere is a tavern that is said to have once been run by a witch who charmed its patrons. The town gained international fame when it was used as a filming location for the 2008 James Bond film, James Bond. quantum of comfort, continues to attract curious travelers. Although officially off-limits, you can explore the deserted streets of Craco at your own peril and wander through an unusual town surrounded by century-old olive trees. . The village is on the World Monuments Fund’s list of priorities as its state of disrepair worsens year by year.