Roscigno, a ghost town in the Cilento

Cilento

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A small, abandoned ancient village, guardian of memory, in the mountains of the Cilento National Park.

  • La Chiesa di San Nicola di Bari a Roscigno Vecchia
  • Alcune vecchie abitazioni del borgo di Roscigno
  • La camera da letto della casa del Contadino a Roscigno
  • La cucina di un tempo della casa del Contadino a Roscigno
  • Veduta panoramica al tramonto delle montagne del Cilento
  • La casa museo di Roscigno illuminata dalle luci degli ambienti interni
  • Il custode di Roscigno Vecchia, Giuseppe Spagnuolo
  • Paesaggio autunnale nel borgo di Roscigno Vecchia

Palaces, noble chapels, the poor houses of the peasants, and a church from the eighteenth century suggest an image of the urban structure of the Cilento villages of old.

Roscigno Vecchia is a ghost town nestled in the Cilento National Park in southern Italy. It was abandoned in the early 20th century due to the risk of landslides, and its urban structure remains almost intact, with small palaces, noble chapels, poor houses, and an 18th-century church. The village is perched on a hilltop overlooking the surrounding countryside. Its narrow streets and stone houses are still well-preserved, and its atmosphere is one of timelessness. One of the main attractions of Roscigno Vecchia is Piazza Nicotera, the main square of the village. Another attraction is the Church of St. Nicholas, a 13th-century church that has been recently restored. In addition to its historical and cultural attractions, Roscigno Vecchia is also a beautiful place to simply wander around and soak up the atmosphere. The village is surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and forests, and it offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Roscigno Vecchia is a truly unique place. It is a ghost town with a heart, and it offers visitors a chance to experience a slice of Italian history and culture. The story of Roscigno was first told by Onorato Volzone, a young journalist who was captivated by the beauty of the place. He described it as "a ghost town, populated now only by memories and suggestions, a fragment of a civilization that dies drowned in the new, but that preserves a dignity made of simple things and a fragrance of the ancient." Today, the history of Roscigno is revived through historical photographs and the many objects of rural life collected and preserved in the museum of the peasant house, set up in the restored rooms of a former farmhouse and the old town hall. Giuseppe, the only inhabitant of Roscigno, loves to welcome curious visitors and tell them the story of the village. He defines it as an "open-air monument."

Roscigno, a ghost town in the Cilento: useful information

Roscigno Vecchia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an ancient abandoned village in the inner area of the Cilento National Park at the foot of Mount Pruno. It is currently inhabited by a single person, Giuseppe Spagnuolo. In recent years it has been restored and opened to the public. It can be visited freely, but it is important to respect the historical-artistic heritage of the village. It is a very evocative place and ideal for lovers of photography and for those looking for a unique and out-of-the-box experience. The volunteers of the Pro Loco allow you to visit the houses of the past and the Museum of Rural Civilization. The visiting hours are from 9:00 to 13:00; on Saturdays and Sundays also from 15:00 to 17:00. In the immediate vicinity you can visit the Sammaro Gorges and one of the highest single-arch bridges in Europe that connects the municipality of Sacco to that of Roscigno. We recommend visiting the village during the spring or autumn, when the temperatures are milder and the surrounding nature is particularly evocative.

Municipality: www.comune.roscigno.sa.it
Tourist information point: www.roscignovecchia.it

Geographic location

Roscigno Vecchia is an ancient abandoned village in the inner area of the Cilento National Park. You can reach Roscigno Vecchia by car by taking the A3 Salerno-Reggio Calabria motorway and exiting at the Battipaglia tollbooth. From here, follow the signs for the SS19 in the direction of Sapri. After about 30 km, take the exit for Roscigno and follow the signs for the village. Alternatively, you can take the train to the Eboli station and then a bus to Roscigno. However, buses are not very frequent, so you may need to take a taxi.

Distance from Salerno: 110 km, approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes by car
Railway station: Polla, 25 km

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Towns to visit in Cilento

Cilento is a region rich in natural landscapes and history, and its villages are a testimony to its beauty. There are towns on the sea, such as Acciaroli, Palinuro and Marina di Camerota, where it is possible to enjoy the beach and the crystal clear sea. Other towns such as Castellabate, Casal Velino and Pollica are located on the hills and offer breathtaking panoramic views of the coast.

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