Craco is a ghost town and comune in the Province of Matera, in the southern Italian region of Basilicata.
The old town was abandoned due to natural disasters. The abandonment has made Craco a tourist attraction and a popular filming location. In 2010, Craco has been included in the watch list of the World Monuments Fund.
Geography
Craco is about 40 kilometres (25 mi) inland from the Gulf of Taranto at the arch of the “ boot ” of Italy. It is typical of the hill towns of the region with mildly undulating shapes and the lands surrounding it sown with wheat. The town was built on a very steep summit for defensive reasons, giving it a stark and striking appearance and distinguishing it from the surrounding land, which is characterized by soft shapes.
The centre, built on the highest side of the town, faces a ridge which runs steeply to the southwest, where newer buildings exist. The town sits atop a 400-metre-high (1,300 ft) cliff that overlooks the Cavone River valley. Throughout the area are many vegetation -less mounds called calanchi ( badlands ) formed by intensive erosion.
