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Suspended between the existing and the non-existing, these towns embody the liminality between life and and death itself. They are abandoned now, but they used to be full of people and lively. Many reasons have forced their inhabitants to flee: natural disasters, people’s changing needs, or a simple lack of generational renewal.

These are not conventional places to visit, yet, theyÌýÌýare an interesting discovery for all those who like mistery. Silence, peace, melancholia and a mixture of many other feelings is what one can perceive when walking through their deserted, abandoned alleys.

We have already taken a look at some of the gloomiest ghost towns in the northÌýand the centre of ItalyÌýÌýLet us now see what we can visit in the south.

Ghost towns in Calabria

The most famous ghost townsÌýof Calabria are the Borgo Antico di Africo and Panduri.

Borgo Antico di Africo, its name probably coming from the word Afrikos meaning exposed to the sun, is situated in the area of AspromonteÌýand it was abandoned between 1951 and 1953 due to frequent floods. The population left this area to settle in Africo Nuovo, which is at sea level. About four years ago, heritage and volunteering associations have begunÌýto revitalize this ancient borgoÌýto prevent it from decaying:ÌýBorgo Antico di Africo was once an active center, nestled in the beautiful wilderness of Aspromonte, and set its origin as far back as the 9^thÌýcentury, when the inhabitants of the of colony of Delia created the first dwellings.

Reaching Borgo antico di AfricoÌýis not easy, as it is located in an almost inaccessible area of Aspromonte, so if you decide to see it for yourself, you are better join a planned excursion of the area and follow someone who is familiar with the territory.ÌýOne of the most interesting monuments is the small Basilean church of San Leo.

Not far from Reggio CalabriaÌýare the ruins of Panduri,Ìýa village destroyed by anÌýearthquake in 1570. Legends say that nearÌýPanduriÌýthere is a caveÌýthatÌýonly locals can access, as its entrance is a well kept secret among them. The reason behind this, some say, is that the cave is a place where startling phenomena of magnetism take place and that, for some reason, only the locals can withstand them. WhenÌýPanduriÌýwas destroyed, its people moved on the opposite hill, in the town of Careri.Ìý

The first ghost townÌýin Campania Ìýto be remembered is certainly Rione Terra, for its historical value. Today part ofÌýPozzuoli,Ìýit is the first urban development thatÌýwas then to grow and turn into this famous Italian town. The first inhabitans ofÌýRione TerraÌýwere the Greeks, to whom followed the Romans. Since then, the area has been always inhabited and, once urban agglomerate became bigger, became known as the port ofÌýPozzuoli itself.ÌýSituated onÌýhigh ground in order to prevent the arrival of enemies, it was abandonedÌýdue to the , which hit the area in the 70s.

Not far from Naples, is another abandoned village,ÌýRoscigno Vecchia,Ìýin the park of Cilento, in theÌýSalerno province. Even though it was considered a safe place in the past, thanks to its higher position preventing it from external assault, it was then abandoned because of the continuous fear of landslides.

A church built in 1770 and an old stone farmhouse, which tells about how rural life used to be, are the two main symbols of this ghost town. The area is also of a certain archaeological interest, as several objects were found in aÌýsepoltura principescaÌý(probably the grave of a king or a prince) in the area, which appear to be witness to the presence or the influence of the Lucani, an ancient pre-Roman population of Southern Italy.

The greatest number of abandoned towns in MoliseÌýare situated in the area of Isernia,Ìýone of the most famousÌýcertainly being Rocchetta Alta, which was last inhabited about 70 years ago.

The only protagonist of this medieval “borgo” isÌýcastle Battiloro,Ìýa defense fortress on two floors. Rocchetta AltaÌýwas bombed during the Second World War, and finally destroyed by a landslide, which only spared this castle and a stone church.

Sicily‘s best known ghost townÌýis Gioiosa Guardia, which was abandoned in 1783 because of an earthquake. It is situated on the Monte Meliuso and it was founded during the reign of Frederick of Aragon. It is also famous because castles and fortresses were builtÌýin every part of the town in order to prevent pirate attacks.

Poggioreale, Gibellina and Salaparuta are three other destinations which can be visited all together. They were abandoned during the 1968Ìýearthquake inÌýBeliceÌýand they are a beautiful itinerary also for their surrounding landscape.

Not only ghost towns, but mainly ancient abandoned manor farms are the most interesting places to visit if you would like a thrill in Apulia.Ìý

The borgoÌýdiÌýMonteruga was the result of the economic expansion that hit the area during Fascism. Inaugurated in 1928, it was finally abandoned in the ’80s.ÌýSome dwellings, the school, the main square and a local church is what has been left in this place which tells a lot about the agricultural life of the area and the link between people and nature.

Ghost towns in Basilicata

The ghost town of Craco is one of the most famous in Basilicata, if not in the world,Ìýas it was here that Mel Gibson’sÌýThe Passion of the ChristÌýwas filmed. In fact, CracoÌýhas been the set to many a movie, its characteristic ruins, result of a 1963 landslide that destroyed the old village, being a perfect setting.ÌýÌýCracoÌýis said to be a paranormal hub, too: voices, screams and otherworldly activities are said to take place here.

 

By Anna de Filippo

Edited by Francesca Bezzone