Abandoned Italian ghost town Craco attracts dark tourism after decades of neglect

Craco, an abandoned Italian ghost town, has become a destination for dark tourism since its abandonment in 1980. Located on a hilltop in southern Italy, it features decaying buildings and crumbling streets, attracting visitors for guided tours. The town was settled by the Greeks and later developed during the medieval period. Natural disasters, including landslides and earthquakes, led to its evacuation in the 1960s and complete abandonment after the 1980 Irpinia earthquake. Today, Craco is known for its ruins, including churches and homes in disrepair. It has also gained recognition as a film location, notably for Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ." The Craco Society, formed by descendants of former residents, works to preserve the town's history.