Ghost Towns in Italy: 20 Abandoned Villages with Extraordinary Stories to Tell

If you are a traveler who prefers alternative paths to postcard-perfect crowded landmarks, Italy holds a secret universe waiting to be uncovered. Beyond the famous art cities and sun-drenched beaches lies a network of abandoned places in Italy that feel frozen in time.

Far from being mere spooky spots or seasonal curiosities for Halloween, these abandoned villages and ghost towns in Italy are open-air history books. From north to south, every crumbling wall, silent square and overgrown alleyway tells a powerful story of human resilience, natural disasters, economic shifts, and sudden tragedies. Nature has reclaimed these spaces, wrapping them in fairy-tale-like scenarios and an enchanted, melancholic atmosphere.

Let's journey together through 20 of the most beautiful ghost towns in Italy, discovering why they were abandoned, what remains today, and how you can visit them responsibly.

If you want to step away from crowded tourist hotspots and discover a hidden side of the country, journeying through Italy's forgotten settlements offers an unforgettable experience. From north to south, these abandoned villages and ghost towns stand as open-air history books, where nature has slowly reclaimed medieval ruins, stone alleys, and silent squares.

From the famous dying city to the Pompeii of 20th century this article is a map of the most beautiful and fascinating Italy’s ghost towns with powerful stories of resilience, natural disasters, and economic change, inviting travelers to explore the most fascinating off-the-beaten-path locations in Italy. Let’s discover togheter! 

Ischiazza was devastated and permanently compromised by a violent flood in 1966 that forced the complete evacuation of the community.

What remains today: Only a few skeletal buildings consumed by dense vegetation and a small, decorated church still stand.

How to visit: Located in the spectacular Trentino-Alto Adige region, it is immersed in a lush forest landscape rich in streams and mountain trails. It is accessible via local hiking routes for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path immersion in nature.

Decades of isolation, lack of modern infrastructure, and the gradual migration of residents toward urban centers led to the abandonment of these twin mountain hamlets.

What remains today: Multi-level stone houses clustered tightly together—some completely collapsed into ruins, others partially restored as rustic holiday retreats.

How to visit: Separated by a stream, these two ghost towns can only be reached on foot. The hike starting from Moggio Udinese through the uncontaminated nature of the region is one of the most rewarding trekking experiences in northern Italy.

Savogno was abandoned in 1968 primarily due to its isolated mountain location. Meanwhile, Consonno (often dubbed Italy's most surreal ghost town near Lake Como) met a very different fate: it was deliberately demolished in the 1960s by an entrepreneur who wanted to turn it into an extravagant Las Vegas-style entertainment city, only to be completely destroyed by a massive landslide in 1976.

What remains today: Savogno preserves a classic medieval layout with stone walls, multi-storey wooden houses, and a frescoed church. Consonno features bizarre, decaying mock-oriental and futuristic structures wrapped in graffiti.

How to visit: Reaching Savogno requires climbing roughly 3,000 stone steps framed by the stunning Aquafraggia waterfalls (though it partially repopulates during summer). Consonno is easily reachable by car/foot on the hills above Olginate near Lecco.

Founded around 1600—allegedly as a refuge or settlement connected to marginalized groups—its remote mountain positioning and harsh winters eventually made permanent habitation unsustainable.

What remains today: Stone ruins sitting nearly 1,000 meters above sea level, rich in local folklore.

How to visit: Located in the province of Vercelli (about 2 hours from Turin), Erbareti is deeply tied to the legend of the Sasso del Diavolo (Devil's Rock), featuring a legendary hoofprint left by the devil on a rock near the village stream that visitors can still inspect today.

Much like Valgrisenche's Fornet, the ancient lower hamlet of Osiglia in the Bormida valley was submerged in 1937 following the construction of a large dam on the Osiglietta stream to create a hydroelectric reservoir.

What remains today: Stone foundations, bridge arches, and remnants of old mountain homes normally hidden beneath the waters of Lake Osiglia.

How to visit: Located in the province of Savona, the ruins become visible during periods of low water or when the reservoir is drained for maintenance (typically every decade). The surrounding lake area is popular for kayaking, hiking, and seasonal sightseeing.

Gairo’s destiny was tormented by geological instability. Its very name originates from ga e roa ("the land that flows"). Relentless floods, earthquakes, and catastrophic mudslides throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries culminated in a massive landslide in 1951 that forced a total evacuation.

What remains today: A sprawling skeleton of a village featuring dismantled buildings, balancing staircases, crumbling stone walls, and eerie alleyways.

How to visit: Located in the rugged hinterland of Nuoro, Gairo Vecchia offers a powerful alternative route for hikers and travelers exploring central Sardinia's wild side. It is freely accessible on foot.

Originally built in the 16th century by woodcutters and shepherds, the village slowly emptied out over generations until its final two residents—a resilient mother and daughter—finally left in 2016.

What remains today: Historical rural architecture including an old washhouse, stone ovens, mounting blocks, and a restored small church.

How to visit: Nestled in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines roughly halfway between Bologna and Florence at over 800 meters of altitude, Chiapporato is a hidden gem reachable via wild hiking trails through dense mountain forests.

Tuscany holds one of the highest concentrations of abandoned villages in Italy, victims of postwar depopulation, famine, and wartime destruction. In Pratovalle, Nazi reprisals and WWII devastation heavily impacted the community.

What remains today: Medieval stone arches, narrow alleys, stone houses, ancient mills, and washhouses. Toiano is famous for its haunting canyon backdrop, while Col di Favilla offers alpine-style stone huts on the slopes of the Apuan Alps.

How to visit: Easily accessible during regional road trips or day hikes across the provinces of Pisa, Lucca, and Arezzo. Pratovalle and its neighboring ruins welcome curious hikers looking into authentic Tuscan history.

Though of prehistoric origins and boasting a rich medieval heritage, the historic core was critically devastated by the catastrophic central Italy earthquakes of 2016.

What remains today: Evocative architectural shells, four historical churches, and remnants of an ancient monastery perched dramatically near the Nera River.

How to visit: Located near Norcia, it is accessible by road for travelers exploring the dramatic, recovering landscapes of the Sibillini Mountains, though safety regulations around restricted zones must be strictly observed.

Gessopalena suffered a dual tragedy: extreme vulnerability due to being literally carved into local chalk cliffs, and a dark chapter in World War II when occupying forces committed atrocities against the local population. It was officially abandoned in the late 1950s.

What remains today: Ancient dwellings leaning against chalk cliffs, parallel stone streets, ruined monasteries, and breathtaking panoramic views over the central Apennines.

How to visit: Located in the Aventino Valley near Chieti, the old cliffside sector of Gessopalena has been partially secured and transformed into an open-air memorial park open to visitors.

During World War II, a stray bomb dropped by a fighter plane unexpectedly demolished a major portion of the village, triggering a rapid decline and final desertion.

What remains today: A dramatic cluster of medieval structures perched on a narrow peninsula overlooking the shimmering waters of Lake Turano.

How to visit: Situated in the Rieti hills not far from Rome and Rieti, Antuni has undergone careful recovery projects in recent years and can be visited via guided tours linked to the nearby borgo of Castel di Tora.

As known as the dying city, Civita was gradually deserted over centuries due to the continuous erosion of its soft tufa rock plateau and frequent landslides caused by earthquakes and rain.

What remains today: A magical cliffside village preserved in time, featuring Etruscan roots, noble Renaissance palazzi, cobblestone alleys, and breathtaking views over the surrounding Calanchi valley.

How to visit: Located in the province of Viterbo, Civita is accessible strictly on foot via a dramatic 300-meter pedestrian bridge connecting it to neighboring Bagnoregio. A small entry fee is required, and visitors can explore its historic center, artisan shops, and local trattorias.

Perched on a volcanic cliff of friable tufa, the historic center of Calcata was condemned in the 1930s by government decree due to fears of structural collapse, leading most original residents to move to nearby Calcata Nuova.

What remains today: A fairytale-like medieval village that avoided destruction and was famously reborn in the 1960s when bohemian artists, musicians, and squatters repopulated its stone houses and caves.

How to visit: Located inside the Treja Valley Regional Park (less than an hour from Rome), Calcata Vecchia is freely accessible on foot. Today it is a vibrant artistic hub filled with craft workshops, bohemian cafes, and scenic hiking trails.

Romagnano al Monte battled centuries of famines and earthquakes, but the final blow came with the devastating Irpinia earthquake of 1980, which rendered the old site uninhabitable. (Similarly, Roscigno Vecchia in Cilento was abandoned due to progressive geological sinking).

What remains today: Eerily intact stone streets, crumbling facades, and houses where furniture, iron bed frames, and personal items were left behind frozen in 1980.

How to visit: Located on a rocky peak over 650 meters high overlooking the Platano River on the border with Basilicata, Romagnano al Monte can be explored on foot to feel the palpable echoes of its recent past.

Hit hard by a series of earthquakes in 1962 and further compromised by the 1980 Irpinia earthquake, the municipality ordered a complete evacuation of the historic center, moving residents to Apice Nuova.

What remains today: It seams like a Pompeii of the 20th century, where vintage shop signs, intact streetscapes, abandoned taverns, and personal household items remain preserved behind locked gates and crumbling facades.

How to visit: Located near Benevento, Apice Vecchia is undergoing structural recovery and urban regeneration. While parts of the village can be admired from the outside, guided tours and cultural events allow access to specific secured areas and the restored Norman Castle.

Campomaggiore Vecchio was founded in the 18th century as an enlightened "city of utopia" where every citizen was granted a home and land. However, an overwhelming landslide in 1885 destroyed the experimental town. 

What remains today: Majestic grid-pattern street layouts swallowed by nature at Campomaggiore.

How to visit: Campomaggiore Vecchio is freely accessible for atmospheric walks among its grid ruins. 

A series of devastating landslides caused by infrastructure works and geological instability in 1963, followed by a severe flood in 1972 and the 1980 Irpinia earthquake, forced the total evacuation of its population to the valley below.

What remains today: Italy’s most iconic ghost town, featuring a dramatic medieval fortress, empty stone houses clinging to barren clay hills (calanchi), and silent plazas that have served as filming locations for major Hollywood movies, including The Passion of the Christ by Mel Gibson.

How to visit: Located in the province of Matera, Craco can be safely visited through guided walking tours managed by the local municipality (Craco Card Historical Park), which equip visitors with safety helmets to explore the secured perimeter.

Following relentless pirate and Turkish attacks along the coast, inhabitants of Roca Vecchia moved inland in 1480 to build a fortified town. Centuries later, recurring epidemics—most notably malaria—forced a final abandonment in 1834.

What remains today: A well-planned medieval site featuring remnants of defensive walls, a church, tower fragments, and stone dwellings.

How to visit: Located just 30 minutes south of Lecce, Roca Nuova has seen partial cleanups and occasional cultural events, making it an accessible historical stop for travelers exploring Salento's interior.

Fantino, established around 1716 on Mount Gimella by shepherds, slowly depopulated through the mid-20th century due to its harsh terrain and economic isolation. (Pentedattelo was similarly deserted following severe earthquake damage and socio-economic shifts).

What remains today: Stone cottages climbing upward from the base of the mountain, surrounded by thick Mediterranean brush.

How to visit: Located roughly halfway between Crotone and Cosenza, Fantino remains a cherished pilgrimage point for neighboring villagers who gather every September 10th to celebrate its patron saint, San Giovanni Infante.

Founded strategically atop Mount Meliuso in the 14th century by Frederick III of Aragon as a defense against pirate raids, the town suffered a catastrophic earthquake in 1783 followed by severe famine the next year. This forced survivors to abandon the mountaintop and settle along the coast (founding Gioiosa Marea).

What remains today: Tower ruins, ancient fortress foundations, and sweeping panoramic vistas stretching across the Tyrrhenian coast toward the Aeolian Islands.

How to visit: Situated 800 meters above sea level in the province of Messina, it is accessible via mountain roads and light hiking paths, rewarding visitors with one of the most stunning viewpoints in Sicily.