Craco
Tags : towns
Craco is a commune and medieval village located in the Region of Basilicata and the Province of Matera (about 25 miles inland from the Gulf of Taranto at the instep of the “boot” of Italy). The medieval village of Craco is typical of the hill towns of the region with mildly undulating shapes and the lands surrounding it sown with wheat. Around 540AD the area was called “Montedoro” and inhabited by Greeks who moved inland from the coastal town of Metaponto.From 1154-1168 the village first saw feudal rule under Eberto. In 1179, Roberto di Pietrapertos became the ruler of Craco. By 1276, a university was established in town. It was during this period in the 13th century that the landmark castle was built under the direction of Attendolo Sforza. In 1293 under Federico II, the Castle Tower became a prison. By the 15th century, the town had grown and now had four large plazas. During the mid-twentieth century recurring earthquakes began to take a toll on the town. Between 1959 and 1972, portions of the village were severely damaged and rendered uninhabitable by a series of landslides. The geological threat to the town was known to scientists since 1910, due to Craco’s location on a hill of Pliocene sands overhanging the clays with ravines causing progressive incisions. Now, Craco is uninhabited. In 1963, the last 1,800 inhabitants were transferred to a valley in a locality called Craco Peschiera. That population is now down to about 970 inhabitants. As beautiful as Craco is, the land and location have proven not suitable for sustaining habitation. The original Craco remains in a state of crumbling decay to this day. Because of its unique and particular landscape Craco has been the set of many movies, such as King David, Saving Grace, Nativity, Quantum of Solace and The Passion of The Christ.
Movie Scenes shot at this place
| Movie | Scene Title |
|---|---|
| Passion of the Christ, The | Judas hangs himself! |
