The incredible abandoned town in beautiful European country now a haven for dark tourism

The village is located on a steep cliff (Image: Getty)

This ghost town was completely abandoned after a series of tragic events, but now thousands of visitors come to see it for themselves. Once a thriving hilltop village, Craco in southern Italy now stands eerily abandoned, a now silent witness to centuries of history and a string of devastating natural disasters. Perched on a rugged 1,300-foot cliff in the Basilicata region, the town was gradually deserted following a series of landslides, with a catastrophic one striking in 1963.

That year marked the final exodus, when the last 1,800 residents were evacuated and relocated to the nearby valley settlement of Craco Peschiera. A flood in 1972 and the 1980 Irpinia earthquake further sealed Craco’s fate, and by 1980, the town was completely uninhabited.

Only 35 people are allowed inside the city at a time (Image: Getty)

Craco’s origins date back to 540 AD, founded by the Greeks, and by the Middle Ages, it had grown significantly. 

In 1276, a university was established, and the population surged from just 450 to over 2,500 by the 16th century. The town flourished for centuries, its noble palaces and churches reflecting its once prosperous past, and some even say it had ties to the mysterious Knights Templar.

Today, Craco is a captivating open air museum filled with history and past sounds of life. Though no one lives there now, thousands of visitors arrive each year to walk its abandoned streets, frozen in time.

Empty bakeries, crumbling homes with furniture still inside, and remnants of daily life long gone create an atmosphere that feels both eerie and sacred.

The silence is broken only by the cautious footsteps of guided tour groups as the entry inside Craco is limited to just 35 people at a time, and safety helmets are required due to the unstable terrain.

Among the must-see spots are the ancient Mother Church of San Nicola, the Madonna della Stella church, and the grand palaces like that of Palazzo Carbone, Palazzo Grossi, Palazzo Cammarota, or Palazzo Maronna.

Craco's haunting beauty has also captured the attention of talented filmmakers. Its dramatic setting has served as a backdrop for major productions like Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ and Francesco Rosi’s Christ Stopped at Eboli.

Kasper, from Manchester, wrote on TripAdvisor about Craco: "The ghost town of Craco is an absolute must see. Standing as a relic of a turbulent past, it paints an interesting and eerie picture of a tragic story, while offering breathtaking views from the desolate, crumbling squares and buildings.

"Our very knowledgeable (English speaking) tour guide did a great job of taking us through the town and its history. Highly recommended!"

Someone else said: "Craco is not to be missed. There is eerie beauty in the abandoned dwellings and the setting itself with its panoramic views is magnificent."