Civita di Bagnoregio

Civita di Bagnoregio is a small, isolated village in central Italy, part of the comune of Bagnoregio in the Province of Viterbo. It sits on a fragile plateau of volcanic tuff about 1 km from Bagnoregio and 120 km north of Rome. Because its cliffs continue to erode, it is often called “the dying city.” The village is reachable only by a pedestrian bridge built in 1965. 

Civita’s landscape lies in the Valle dei Calanchi, shaped by erosion, landslides, and the contrast between soft clay and harder tuff layers. Only a handful of residents live there year-round.

Founded by the Etruscans over 2,500 years ago, Civita preserves an ancient street layout and many medieval and Renaissance buildings. It was the birthplace of Saint Bonaventure, but centuries of earthquakes and erosion caused most inhabitants and institutions to move to nearby Bagnoregio.

Today Civita is admired for its preserved architecture, dramatic setting, and sites such as the church of San Donato, Alemanni Palace, and the Porta Santa Maria. Ongoing erosion still threatens the town, which has been listed among Italy’s most beautiful villages and on the World Monuments Fund’s Watch List.

Address
Piazza San Donato 161, Bagnoregio, Italy

Established
Middle Ages