Craco, lively rocks

On this rocky sour of Lucania the skyline looks like a wave of hills and valleys. The Norman tower overlooks the stone houses that are perched on the rocks while the wind is blowing and shaping the silence. Craco is a ghost village, a charming destination in the area of Matera where time has the scent of the past and it sounds being on a western movie set. It was a settlement of monks in the 10th century during Frederik II reign then it became an important strategic military area. It also became a university city in 1276 then the banditry changed its destiny and it started to be plundered during the Napoleonic period and it became the centre of many crimes. The devastating landslide of 1963 deeply marked the history of this village since the people had to leave and move towards the valley. It was the starting of a new historical period for this peculiar village of Basilicata that now looks like a Medieval sculpture surrounded by gorges and canyons.

Charming shots

Craco is a perfect set for Western movies surrounded by dry sunny valleys so it has always captured the directors’ attention. This part of Basilicata together with its rocky landscapes have been used as a set of many movies since the end of the 1970s. Many internationally famous directors were captured by its charm and for example the hanging of Jude in the movie from 2004 directed by Mel Gibson “The Passion”, a really touching representation of the passion of Christ was shot here and many other scenes were shot in the nearby Matera. Among the other famous movies shot in Craco there are “Christ stopped at Eboli” by Francesco Rosi, a movie from 1978 that took inspiration from the Italian writer, painter, politician, antifascist writer Carlo Levi, “King David” by Bruce Beresford, shot in 1985, “Night Sun” by Taviani brothers, a movie from 1990, “ The Nymph” by Lina Wertmuller from 1996, “La Lupa” (The she-wolf) by Gabriele Lavia from 1996 and “Terra Bruciata” (Burnt land) by Fabio Segatori from 1999.

Lost palaces

There’s a huge gate at the entrance of the village. A stones avenue will lead you towards the beginning of your exploration. You can follow a safe route by wearing a helmet since the village is always moving and subject to continuous failures. Some buildings belonging to the 15th century that used to feature the village in the past have survived like the Grossi palace with its frescos with flower designs which is located near the main church and palazzo Carbone, a building dating back to the end of the 15th century that was restored and widened in the 18th century. Beside the building that was once palazzo Maronna there is a tower overlooking the village dating back to the 13th century, the local people call it the “castle”. It’s featured by a particular doorway and the towers has some beautiful windows from where you can enjoy a wonderful view over the meadows and the canyons that frame the centre of the village. Thanks to the peculiarity of this territory and its ancient village surrounded by the valleys, the rocks and a particular environment, Craco was entered into the list of the World Monuments Founds.

Meadows and canyons

There are plenty of ways to experience Craco. You can reach it by car along the turns that will catch your curiosity as the village is approaching. You can cycle and match your efforts with a slow wave of views of the valleys and the meadows and you can stretch your sight over the ruins of the ghost village. You can walk along a slow route and plunge into one of the most exciting areas of Basilicata surrounded by the nature and a unique moon-like landscape. It’s an extraordinary feeling. Besides the tracks in the thick vegetation, the meadows, the canyons and the landscapes there are also some historical and religious destinations like the church of Madonna della Stella dating back to the 17th century, the ruins of the little church of Sant’Eligio near Stigliano and the Franciscan monastery of Saint Peter Prince of Apostles.

Urban frescos

There are two amazing villages a few kilometres far from Craco. They are two unmissable destinations if you intend exploring this area near Matera. Ferrandina and Pisticci, true treasures of Basilicata, they are museum-villages that exhibit some exciting urban frescos. The actor and director Michele Placido decided to shoot the movie “Of Lost Love” around the squares, the religious buildings and the characteristic white houses of Ferrandina in 1998. This village overlooks the river Basento and it developed around a bunch of white houses and the patrician houses whose doorways and coats of arms stand out. Pisticci is featured by the white narrow streets and the red tiles of the roofs, it’s an artistic village that offers an interesting historical route. Piazza Umberto I is the heart of the village while the church of the Mother of the Saints Peter and Paul, the little church of Annunziata, the castle of San Basilio, the Renaissance Palazzo De Franchi and the Palazzocchio are just a few examples of the historical jewels of this ancient village.