View of the ancient village of Craco from the southern slope

The village of Craco stands on a clay and limestone hill in the Basilicata region, characterized by a medieval urban system developed around a fortified core. The view from the southern slope highlights the building layers rising towards the Norman watchtower, located on the summit ridge of the hill. The geographical context is defined by the Bruscata stream valley and the Lucanian badlands, geological formations resulting from the water erosion of Plio-Pleistocene clay deposits. The site documents the forced abandonment of the population in the 20th century due to hydrogeological instability, preserving the original architectural structures devoid of contemporary overlaps.

Craco, abandoned village, Basilicata, Norman tower, badlands, province of Matera, Lucanian landscape, medieval architecture.