The dying town, reached only by a long footbridge
On a pinnacle of soft tuff in the middle of a valley of eroded clay, the calanchi, stands Civita di Bagnoregio, a medieval village that the erosion of the hill is slowly consuming: for this reason it has been called "the dying town". Over the centuries, landslides have swallowed houses, streets and part of the town, and today only a few people live there permanently.
It is reached only on foot, by a long, steep footbridge across the void, an experience in itself. Through the Porta Santa Maria, carved into the rock, you enter a village of stone houses, flowers, small squares and the church of San Donato, with panoramic views of the badlands from every edge. It was the birthplace of St Bonaventure. It has become one of the most visited villages in Italy, and an entrance fee helps fund its conservation.
Tip: come at dawn or late afternoon to avoid the crowds and enjoy the light on the calanchi; on misty mornings the village seems to float on the clouds.
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