Northwest: ibex in the Aosta Valley
The Aosta Valley in the northwest is Italy’s smallest region and is the Great St. It can be reached quickly via Bernard. At an altitude of about 1800 meters above sea level there is the quaint village of Chamois. In addition to guests in several hotels, the population is just under 100 people. This is exactly what makes Chamois so attractive: there are no cars, because the village can only be reached by a narrow path or by cable car. The best way to get here is by bike from Buisson or La Magdaleine.
East: Laturo in Abruzzo
In the middle of the Abruzzo, on the middle east coast of Italy, is one of Italy’s most remote destinations: Laturo. The village is surrounded by the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park and can only be reached on foot. Until the 1950s, about 50 families lived here, and 200 people lived in only 30 houses. After many moved to cities, some houses fell into disrepair. Today, however, efforts are being made to renew it, and a new life is coming.
Fly: The small chapel of the Madonna di Loreto is particularly atmospheric. It was closed for a long time but now it is open to the public again.
South: Ginostra on the island of Stromboli
Ginostra is located in the south of the island of Stromboli, surrounded by olive and lemon groves. With a little luck, the figs will ripen when curious visitors arrive by sea. Only at the beginning of the millennium (2000) electricity and water lines were laid. In addition, the small port has been expanded so that more than one boat can dock at the same time. There is no road in Ginostra because the village is located at the foot of the Stromboli volcano. The brave can climb through the hiking trail.
Fly: About 40 permanent residents of the place feed their own mules and donkeys, which carry loads and even visitors. Even small alleys can be explored from the back of a donkey in a particularly authentic way.
Northeast: Stavoli in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region
The abandoned mountain village of Stavoli lies in the middle of the northern Italian region with the almost unpronounceable name of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Few residents are almost completely cut off from civilization and provided by a cable car. When you get to the top, there is a great view of the Alps at 600 meters. Those seeking peace and quiet from the city appreciate it. Although a few farming families farmed here until the 1950s, today there are almost exclusively holiday homes in Stavoli. If you want to stay in one of them, you must accept the strenuous hike from Campiolo Alto.
North: Savogno in Lombardy
In the northernmost part of Italy, just in front of the Swiss border, is Savogno, a small village in the middle of the Lombardy mountain landscape. These include, for example, nearby waterfalls in the Bragagna Valley. Savogno itself is 923 meters above sea level and was abandoned by most of the inhabitants who moved to the valley in 1968. It is said that only one of them remained in the village. In the summer, when vacationers come from the valley, he has plenty of friends.
a warning: If you want to visit Savogno, you should be fit and bring good shoes. The place can only be reached via a steep footpath with 2886 steps.
South: Craco near Matera
One of Italy’s best-known outer cities is historic Craco in the southern province of Matera. With a population of around 700, Craco is still home to a large number of residents. The place was founded in the 11th century and long ago even 2000 people lived here. But many left Craco after a major earthquake in 1980. And in the 2000s, Craco residents continued to move to wealthier cities and regions. Today visitors come here to enjoy the peace.
Northwest: Bussana Vecchia in Liguria
The ruins of Bussana Vecchia are located inland on the Riviera dei Fiori in Liguria. They came to be known as an artist village. The old village was destroyed in an earthquake in 1887 and abandoned by the residents. The historic core has been restored over the years. In addition, international artists who settled in the 1960s brought a new breath to the space with their artworks. It has since become a popular stop for travelers with a special interest in arts and culture.
East: Buonanotte in Abruzzo
The medieval village, formerly Buonanotte (good night), is located on a mountain in Abruzzo. In ancient times it was still known as Malanotte (bad night). Today it has a picturesque name, namely the beautiful mountain Montebello sul Sangro. However, only about 80 people live. Because in 1887 the mountain village was completely destroyed by a landslide and was abandoned by its former inhabitants and later settled again. The ruins still stand on the rocks, some of which are covered with dense vegetation. They give this 12th-century borgo a mystical appearance, almost like a ghost village.