| Craco | ||
 | ||
| State | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Basilicata | |
| Territory | Materano | |
| Altitude | 391 m a.s.l. | |
| Surface | 77.04 km² | |
| Inhabitants | 724 (2017) | |
| Prefix tel | 39 0835 | |
| POSTAL CODE | 75010 | |
| Time zone | UTC 1 | |
Position
| ||
| Institutional website | ||
Craco is a city of Basilicata.
To know
Geographical notes
Craco rises in the hilly area that precedes theLucanian Apennines, halfway between the mountains and the sea, in the central-western part of the province. The territory is varied, with a predominance of gullies, deep furrows dug in a clay soil by the descent into the valley of the rainwater. The neighboring municipalities are Pisticci (20 km), Montalbano Jonico is Stigliano (25 km), San Mauro Forte (27 km), Ferrandina (33 km). It is 58 km from Matera and 104 km from the regional capital Power.
Background
Craco as a city dates back to at least 1060, when the land was owned by Archbishop Arnaldo, bishop of Tricarico. An earlier Greek settlement existed around 540 AD. under the name of "Montedoro". At its peak in 1561, the population of the old City di Craco was close to 2,600 people. The period from 1892 to 1922 was characterized by high emigration due to poor agricultural conditions.
There were several earthquakes and a series of landslides between 1959 and 1972. The old town was abandoned in 1963 due to landslide damage, thus becoming a ghost city, and the inhabitants moved downstream in the hamlet of Craco Peschiera. Today Craco is used as location for the filming of various film productions. Despite this forced exodus, Craco remained intact. In 2010, the village entered the list of monuments to be protected drawn up by the World Monuments Fund.
The municipality, in the implementation of a recovery plan for the village, has established, since the spring of 2011, a guided tour, along a route made safe, which allows you to travel along the main street of the town, up to the one that remains of the old main square, which collapsed following the landslide. In December 2012, a new itinerary was inaugurated, which allows you to enter the core of the ghost town. In 2013, the historic center registered an influx of around 5,000 visitors.
How to orient yourself
Craco: full screen map.How to get
By plane
By car
Highway 
Salerno-Reggio Calabria: Exit Sicignano, take direction Power, continue for the 
Basentana in the direction Metaponto. From the road, Craco is just west of 
or 
.
On the train
The nearest station is Metaponto, connected with the main railway junctions.
How to get around
Within the city you can move only on foot.
By car
- 1 parking area.
What see
The visit to the village costs € 10 per person and also includes the emotional museum.
- 1 Castle tower (Norman Tower).
- 2 [link not working]Emotional Museum of Craco (MEC), Convent of San Pietro, ☎ 39 327 438 6948, @[email protected].
5 € (Jun 2020). In this museum the history and events of Craco are told. - Church of Santa Maria della Stella.
5 € (Jun 2020). In this museum the history and events of Craco are told.Events and parties
What to do
Numerous tourists go up to Craco to see the ruins of the ghost town and to venture through the alleys and surroundings. The clayey and barren soil coexists with the marly one: on a spur of marl calcified by time stands the tower, which for the Crachesi is the "castle". Secular olive trees mixed with ancient cypresses are on the side of the town towards the Scalo.
Stroll the streets and look into the houses, which have remained as they were, but are slowly deteriorating.
- Guided tours (Reception at the parking lot), ☎ 393382183892, @[email protected]. 15 € (Jun 2020) minimum 5 people.
Mon-Sun 9: 00-20: 00. The duration of the guided tour is approximately 2 hours and 15 min. - 1 [link not working]Atelier of Art and Cinema.
Mon-Sun 9: 00-20: 00. The duration of the guided tour is approximately 2 hours and 15 min.Shopping
How to have fun
Where to eat
Where stay
Craco was abandoned in 1963. The closest place is Pisticci.
- Torre Fiore Hotel, Contrada Terranova - Pisticci, ☎ 39 0835 580239, fax: 39 0835 580915, @[email protected]. Boutique hotel in a 16th century farmhouse.
Safety
How to keep in touch
Keep informed
- 2 Pro loco of Craco.
Around
- Policoro and the Gulf of Taranto
