Approximately 300 years ago, an earthquake caused the surrounding area to collapse, and since then, it has been continuously eroded by wind and rain, and it is said that this town will eventually disappear.A dying town(Italian: il paese che muore)Civita di Bagnoreggio(Italian: Civita di Bagnoregio). Like Orvieto, a town where medieval history remains intact, it is a hilltop city perched on a sheer cliff, and the town from the 1200s still exists.Castle in the SkyThe town, whose scenery is sometimes rumored to be the model for a famous story, possesses a mysterious charm that makes you feel as if you've been left behind in a medieval tale world. In Japan, it's not yet a very well-known tourist destination, and it seems that tour companies don't often include it in their itineraries.June 9, 2012The movie released onFirefly Light"ActressHaruka AyaseThe woman played by [Name] and the groomNaoto FujikiWhen [Name] visited Rome for their honeymoon filming, Civita di Bagnoreggio was used as a filming location, which has gradually brought it more media attention in Japan. The reason my husband and I chose this Italian tour was because this town was included in the itinerary! In short, it's the place we were most looking forward to visiting on this trip♪
To get to Civita di Bagnoreggio, you must take a shuttle bus in Bagnoreggio, the town before it. Because the roads are narrow, tourist buses are apparently blocked off in the town before Civita di Bagnoreggio. So, we'll transfer to the shuttle bus and depart!
The shuttle bus driver. Since there aren't enough seats for everyone, he gives up his seat to the elderly and everyone else stands. I enjoy the view of the city from the front seat, which offers a great vista!
The driver skillfully navigated the narrow road, barely wide enough for one shuttle bus, and after about five minutes, we saw it! A town seemingly floating in the middle of nature! Truly amazing!Town in the SkyThere's a town that perfectly fits that description! When thick clouds cover the area around this town on the cliff, it really looks like a town floating in the sky! It looks like an old castle on a cliff, but a very small town exists there! Seeing this sight in person is quite exhilarating♪
Apparently, they started charging an entrance fee because so many tourists began flocking to the area. You can buy tickets at this little hut.
Tickets are available here. The entrance fee is €1.50 per person (approximately 210 yen), which will likely go towards waste disposal, toilets, road maintenance, and other upkeep costs.
Located in the northern part of Lazio, on the border with Umbria, this small town is adjacent to the east of Lake Bolsena, a popular summer resort in Italy. While a shuttle bus takes you to the base of the town, the only way to get there from there is via a narrow, long, uphill bridge over 300 meters long. It's too narrow for regular four-wheeled vehicles, so the only options are walking, motorbike, or bicycle. (General cars are prohibited, although there seem to be specially designated small cargo vehicles.) If you're visiting as a tourist, comfortable walking attire and shoes are best. The Italian summer sun is strong, so a hat and sun protection are necessary, and in winter, the town is cold, so be sure to dress warmly!
From the bridge, you can enjoy the lush green scenery of nature, and apparently, it's a truly beautiful sight when the flowers are in bloom. It's only about a 5-minute walk at a leisurely pace, but the fact that you can't get to town without crossing this bridge adds to the sense of remoteness and inconvenience, which only makes me more excited to explore!
Finally, after climbing a somewhat steep hill, you arrive at the entrance to the town.
Then a small black cat, like a gatekeeper, came to greet me.
Beyond this tunnel lies a small town. Due to its inconvenient location, the town has fewer than 20 inhabitants, excluding those working in tourist facilities and shops. I heard that these residents live quietly. However, after clearing rigorous inspections regarding historical preservation, aesthetics, harmony with nature, and population size, "The most beautiful village in ItalySince being designated as a "Tourist attraction," it has attracted tourists from Italy and other countries. In the town, there is a television movie directed by Alberto Sironi from 2008.PinocchioApparently, you can also see the building that was used as the house of "Grandpa Jebbet" in the film!
With the increase in tourists, various facilities are being restored or renovated, but in the town center, which retains its medieval atmosphere, there are Romanesque-style buildings.Church of San DonatoIt stands there, and the gentle Virgin Mary watches over you♪
Although there are only a few, the town is gradually developing tourist-oriented facilities such as trattorias, bars, and souvenir shops. Apparently, there's even a restaurant housed in a 2,500-year-old cave! "Bar la Piazzetta" is a restaurant and bar offering a wide selection of local wines. You can also enjoy slow food featuring local specialties like olive oil, sausages, and cheese.
At OpenTable, you can enjoy your meal while taking in the scenery of a townscape reminiscent of the Middle Ages, surrounded by simple, old-fashioned houses, and time seems to slow down here♪
This is a souvenir shop. An old man sits quietly at the entrance, minding the shop.BuongiornoWhen I cheerfully called out, "Come on in and take a look," he pointed to the stairs leading underground, as if to say, "Go ahead and take a look." I descended the narrow stone staircase, just wide enough for one adult to pass at a time, using the wooden handrail for support, and there it was—an underground cavern! The air was cool, and it was a world unlike anything I'd ever seen!
One of the charms of Civita di Bagnoreggio is its cats. They all have such gentle faces, and you can really feel that they are loved and living happily and carefree lives.
There are many friendly cats that lie down and show their bellies while basking in the sun (lol).
A cat sleeping peacefully on a lush, green stone in the garden. I wish I could take its place!
If you walk through the town for just a few minutes, you'll quickly reach the end of the town. The view from there is also wonderful, and the breeze is very pleasant♪
This town sits atop a steep, sheer cliff, and it's said that it will eventually disappear naturally. Looking at the geological layers on the slope, they appear to be easily eroded sedimentary layers, making you truly feel the town's precariousness and leaving you with a somewhat melancholic feeling.
In Civita di Bagnoreggio, a town once described as a dying place, I spotted a "For RENT" sign. Despite its inconvenience, I was captivated by the charm of its tranquil and peaceful streets, and felt an irresistible urge to start a business catering to tourists. I still can't shake the feeling that I've missed out on that opportunity (lol).
It seems that the residents sometimes casually invite tourists to "come and take a look around my home♪". Our guide told us that if you are allowed to peek inside, it's a good idea to give a tip as a token of appreciation. Unfortunately, we didn't encounter any residents like that on this day, but I'd love to visit again sometime and take my time exploring♪
Many of the older buildings are covered in long, winding ivy leaves, twisted branches, and trees, each one resembling a work of art.
Everywhere is open and seems to be freely accessible except for private residences. There was a bench in a lovely garden-like area, so I took a break there. It was a space where I felt as if time had stopped, and it became my favorite spot in town♪
As I left town and walked down the hill on my way back, I exchanged greetings with a woman who seemed to be a resident, carrying shopping bags. Although we were reluctant to part, a very warm atmosphere permeated the place. I sincerely hope that this beautiful townscape and peaceful atmosphere will continue for a long, long time.
We boarded the tour bus, and the tour began, traveling approximately 135km towards Rome.
Our guide, Tomoaki Sugino, affectionately known as "Sugi-chan," delivered his tour announcements in a gentle tone, sharing the history and anecdotes behind each place we visited, interspersed with amusing stories. Despite the pleasant, warm weather that made us feel sleepy, we listened intently. He demonstrated his expertise even on the bus, drawing on his own guiding experience, incorporating advice from senior guides, reading from reports he'd compiled using various materials, and offering original and insightful comments.
The scenery is typical of Italy, with endless vineyards and olive trees stretching as far as the eye can see.
Finally, let's take a look at the vast and peaceful landscape where cows and horses graze. Next time, I'll introduce a pizzeria lunch in Rome!
