Craco and the badlands

Craco is a charming abandoned village located in the hinterland of Basilicata, in the province of Matera. It is one of the most evocative and mysterious destinations in Southern Italy. Perched on a hill between the Val d'Agri, the Lucanian Apennines and the Ionian coast, Craco dominates a spectacular landscape marked by badlands, clay formations sculpted by erosion over the centuries.

Craco has been a ghost town since the 1960s, when a landslide forced the inhabitants to evacuate the historic centre, transforming Craco into a ghost town with a magnetic charm. Today, the village retains its identity intact, with stone houses, deserted alleys and a Norman tower rising above it, making the village's silhouette easily recognisable even from a distance.

The uniqueness of the landscape, combined with the silence that envelops its ruins, makes Craco a place suspended in time, capable of thrilling every visitor. A guided tour allows you to safely explore the ancient town, strolling along the main street, crossing the ancient square and immersing yourself in the vestiges of a past that still speaks.

How to get to Craco

Craco is located in a strategic position, easily accessible from numerous towns in Basilicata:

Pietrapertosa - 52 km
Pisticci - 20 km
Montalbano Jonico and Stigliano - 25 km
San Mauro Forte - 27 km
Ferrandina - 33 km
Matera - 58 km
Garaguso - 35 km

Thanks to its proximity to other tourist destinations in the region, Craco is a perfect stop on any itinerary in Basilicata, combining nature, culture and charm.

The surreal landscape of the Lucanian badlands

Visiting Craco also means admiring one of the most evocative natural landscapes in southern Italy: the Lucanian badlands. These spectacular geological formations, typical of the area, are the result of water erosion on clayey soils, creating undulating ridges, deep valleys and landscapes reminiscent of the moon.

The badlands surround numerous towns in Basilicata, such as Aliano, Pisticci and Montalbano Jonico, offering nature trails, photographic excursions and evocative sunsets, with golden hues that magically colour the hills.