The dying town! Civita di Bagnoregio

If you want to take a dip in the past, visit a place where you can only walk around and not hear any noise other than mother nature’s, Civita di Bagnoregio is the right place.
Founded 2.500 years ago by the Etruscans, Civita di Bagnoregio is a surreal place located on top of a tuff hill that can only be reached by crossing a narrow pedestrian bridge. Due to the erosion of the tuff rocks where the small village is located, inhabited by only 16 people, is called the dying town. The village, only 100 km north of Rome and half-way between Lake Bolsena and Orvieto, it is considered one of the most beautiful and characteristic Italian village.
Surrounded and protected by Valley of Calanchi, today is a very small town where time seems to have stopped but, thanks to this reason, many artists like painters, movie directors, thinkers looking for inspiration, decided to buy and live here part of their time.
Don’t be fooled by the fact that it is inhabited by a few dozen people, Civita di Bagnoregio is a place where you never get bored.
Three are the most anticipated events of the year. Let’s start by talking about the funniest one when all the neighboring places people gather and participate with enthusiasm, the PALIO DELLA TONNA. It takes place on the first Sunday of June and the second Sunday of September. It’s a palio where the jockeys, on top of their trusty donkey, challenge each other along the main square of the town making three rounds in circles. The best two jockeys enter the final and the winner wins the prize. Another traditional appointment it is the Chestnut festival, a typical product of the Civita di Bagnoregio area. In the past the production of this fruit was one of the most important activity and today it’s celebrated with a big party. Roasted chestnuts in the streets of the “Dying City”, craft markets and typical products. Finally, the Live Nativity, a unique traditional event. Civita di Bagnoregio turns into a small Bethlehem and welcomes the historical re-enactment of the nativity. In the streets of the village you will meet shepherds with their flock, blacksmiths, bakers, weavers, and of course the inevitable grotto of the nativity, a truly unique show, and sometimes, if you are lucky, covered with snow.
What could be more magical than wake up in a place like this?

For any further information contact me on
stefaniamontalbano@carlozucchetti.it

Photo Credits: www.tusciafotografia.it