View of the historic Civita di Bagnoregio from above the bridge leading over the valley into town.

About this experience

Civita di Bagnoregio

Lazio, Italy

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Published: 2023 (v1)

Story outline

  • Civita di Bagnoregio

    Civita's rock foundation protected the town for centuries yet has increasingly contributed to its precarious position.

  • Stop 1. Living on the Edge

    Built on a volcanic plateau overlooking Valle dei Calanchi, the town seems surreal. Made of volcanic tuff rock, to reach Civita, one crosses a 366-meter bridge and follows a zig-zag path. The town's history traces back 3 million years when the valley was a seafloor with clay deposits. This clay layer makes the land prone to erosion and landslides.

  • Stop 2. Entering the Town

    Every visitor to Civita di Bagnoregio enters through the Porta di Santa Maria, named after a nearby church. Built into the cliff, this medieval tower once defended the town. Its arched entrance leads through a passage to the village walls, adorned with bas reliefs of lions holding human heads, symbolizing the town's overthrow of tyrants in the 15th century.

  • Stop 3. Piazza San Donato

    The Piazza San Donato, Civita di Bagnoregio's main square, has been a hub for thousands of years. The stone buildings reflect Etruscan, Roman, medieval, and Renaissance eras. At the geologic museum, one can understand the town's unique foundation. The Church of San Donato stands prominently, with its bell tower guiding visitors. The square hosts a live nativity during holidays and "Palio della Tonna" donkey races in June and September.

  • Stop 4. Battle Against Nature

    For over 700 years, safeguarding Civita di Bagnoregio has been essential. From this elevated viewpoint, the town seems like an island, with its vulnerable position evident. The cliffs bear marks of landslides, emphasizing the need for protection. Records from 1373 highlight bans on tree-cutting and excavation to prevent erosion. Recently, concrete wells and steel shafts have been used to bolster the town, not to combat nature, but to mitigate its effects.

  • Stop 5. Symbol of Resilience

    From above, Civita's vulnerability to landslides is clear. Once labeled “the dying town”, its residents have faced adversity for centuries, shaping its current form. Its rich history and resilient community draw visitors and settlers globally. Civita di Bagnoregio stands as a beacon of hope for regions battling nature's impacts.

Voices

  • A portrait of a man with short dark hair and a day's stubble, wearing a white shirt, set against an ornate golden-brown patterned background.

    Luca Profili

    Mayor of Civita di Bagnoregio

    Luca Profili was elected deputy mayor of Bagnoregio in 2014 working on social, youth, labor, regulatory and public education policies. He had five years of government experience under his belt when he was elected mayor of Bagnoregio and Civita in May 2019. Today Luca Profili is Mayor of a municipality that has become an international destination with over a million visitors every year and is preparing to become one of the most important tourist hubs in Italy.
  • A portrait of a smiling woman with curly dark hair, wearing a blouse with a colorful geometric pattern, set against a dimly lit stone wall background.

    Ilaria Rossi Doria

    Architect and Local Resident

    Ilaria Rossi Doria is an architect and landscape designer. Born and raised in Rome, she studied in England and Sweden. She lived and worked in Rome for twenty years and in 2019, decided to live in Civita di Bagnoregio in the house purchased by her grandfather in the seventies. In Civita, she continues to work and manages a vacation home with her husband, Marco.
  • A portrait of a bald man with a warm smile, wearing a light blue shirt, with a background featuring white board with black text.

    Roberto Pomi

    Communications at Casa Civita

    Roberto Pomi is a communicator and journalist who has been working at Casa Civita srl's technical secretariat since 2020. He is also the communication manager for the UNESCO candidacy of the Cultural Landscape of Civita di Bagnoregio.

Partners

About the Project

Civita di Bagnoregio, often referred to as the “Dying Town,” is a small, ancient hilltop village located in central Italy, within the province of Viterbo in the Lazio region. Perched precariously atop a plateau of friable volcanic tuff, the town is renowned for its picturesque charm, dramatic vistas, and its striking isolation, as it is accessible only via a pedestrian bridge. The Etruscans founded Civita more than 2,500 years ago, and the town’s rich history is evident in its well-preserved medieval architecture. However, erosion and landslides have led to the gradual crumbling of its edges, making the preservation of Civita di Bagnoregio a pressing concern. Its enchanting atmosphere and historical significance make it a popular destination for tourists seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience.

Related Links

Contact

  • CyArk — CyArk is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to empowering connections with historic places. info@cyark.org

Credits

This project was made possible with support from Iron Mountain.

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