THE DYING TOWN OF CIVITA DI BAGNOREGIO

 

An interesting ancient city located in Italy, founded by the Etruscans 2,500+ years ago is Civita di Bagnoregio located in central Italy 75 miles (120 kilometres) north of Rome. The only access is a footbridge from a nearby town that costs 5 Euros to enter the “dying” city. It is called the “dying city” because it sits on a hilltop that has been crumbling from earthquakes and eroding because of the soft volcanic rock.

The civita (city) is in a valley of badlands in a region east of Lake Bolsena, west of Tiber Valley. The village was established in 500 BC. Civita is inhabited by 16 people. The concrete pedestrian bridge was built in 1995, generally restricted to pedestrians, but certain people may cross the bridge by bike or motorcycle at certain times.

The layout of the town originated by the Etruscans and Romans and the architecture seen today is of medieval origin. The cave of Saint Bonaventure who was healed by Saint Francis, is also an Etruscan tomb. Many tomb entrances have been covered by rockfalls over the centuries. Saint Bonaventure was born in the Civita and died in 1274. The house he grew up in has fallen of the edge of the crumbling cliff.

The Etruscans faced the problem of an earthquake in 280 BC. When the Romans arrived in 265 BC, they contained streams and carried rainwater away from the village.

At the end of the 17^th century, the bishop and municipal government moved to Bagnoregio after an earthquake that crumbled the outskirts of the town.

Today, the town is a popular attraction. There are more cats in the town than the 12 residents. Residents do not pay communal taxes because of the tourist toll fee. It is the only town in Italy that does not pay such taxes.

Tourists enjoy the village architecture that survived two world wars. The village is busy in the summer months and offers a sufficient number of bed-and-breakfasts. The village is on the 100 Endangered Sites list.

Inside the village with several medieval houses is the church of San Donato at the main square. The Alemanni Palace is now home to the Geological and Landslides Museum. A mill of the 16^th century is the Bishop's Palace.

On Good Friday, the Holy Crucifix of the church of San Donato is laid on a coffin and transported in the “Processione del Venerdi Santo di Bagnoregio” (“God Friday Procession of Bagnoregio”).

At the Christmas season a nativity scene takes place with the stories of May and Joseph set in the medieval streets.

The first Sunday of June is the Maria SS. Liberatrice feast day.

The last week of July and first week of August is the Jazz Festival with concerts, seminars, and jam sessions.

The second Sunday of September is the SS. Crocifisso feast day.

Civita is the site of several film sets: The Two Colonels (1962), Let's Have a Riot (1970), Nostalghia (1983), and My Gay Italian Wedding (2018).

The following YouTube videos are about Civita di Bagnoregio.

REFERENCES:

1. Adamson, Robert (1911)."Bonaventura, Saint" . Encyclopædia Britannica Vol.4 pp.1971–198.

2. Tuscia in Jazz Festival.

3. Guide to Civita di Bagnoregio.

4. Civita di Bagnoregio Trip Advisor.

5. Civita di Bagnoregio History.