The “dying city” of Civita di Bagnoregio

The beautiful medieval town of Civita di Bagnoregio, about 100 km north of Rome – within the province of Lazio and just along the border with neighboring Umbria-  is known as la città che muore (the dying city).

Dying is, unfortunately, just what Civita di Bagnoregio is doing. The city, originally founded by the Etruscans, is perched on cliffs of tufo (tufa stone, similar to limestone), which is slowly but surely crumbling. Endangered residents have long since moved from Civita di Bagnoregio to the town of Bagnoregio, built during the Renaissance, just opposite the chasm from the medieval town.

Bagnoregio in a 1920 photo

Residents had been leaving the medieval town all throughout the 16th century, but a devastating earthquake struck the town in the late 17th century, leaving it a virtual ghost town.

A 1 km bridge connects the “new” 16th century town with its medieval twin and tourists make the stunning (and steep) climb up the bridge to enjoy this medieval treasure.

The town itself is a wonder to explore. Its buildings are all constructed of tufa blocks. While many of the buildings are crumbling (and those closest to the cliff edge are literally falling over the edge), some are being reconstructed and are charming.

There is a bed and breakfast  in town and many room and apartment rentals for visitors who would like to make this unique town their base for exploring the region.

The town offers stunning panoramas of the calanchi apennini (eroded rock formations found frequently in the Apennine mountain range). This strange, lunar-type landscape is a dramatic backdrop to lovely Bagnoregio.

Civita di Bagnoregio makes a wonderful day trip from Rome, a visit from nearby Umbria or as a destination for a relaxing holiday in the region. Just be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes for the steep climb up to the town. There’s no doubt both the walk up and the stunning beauty of the town will leave you breathless.

5 Comments

  1. Andrew Petcher on April 24, 2012 at 7:09 am

    Good post – I enjoyed it!

  2. Chantel Rhondeau on April 24, 2012 at 8:09 pm

    Sounds absolutely beautiful. So sad that it is crumbling away. Nice post, Kimberly!

  3. kimberlysullivan on May 2, 2012 at 12:17 pm

    Thanks for the comments! It’s a really beautiful place. If you’re in the area, be sure to visit. I just read in the papers that there is a new Landslide Museum in the town. Unfortunately, they have lots of expertise in this area.

  4. […] Combine a trip to this interesting park with a visit to the stunning “dying city” of Civita di Bagnoregio , see my earlier post. […]

  5. […] For other tips of beautiful places to see nearby, see my earlier posts on the Monster Park of Bomarzo  and the ‘Dying city’of Civita di Bagnoregio. […]

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