Visit the Civita di Bagnoregio to see an enchanting and otherworldly citadel perched on a mossy rock formation that seems to rise from nowhere on foggy days. A long and impressive bridge winds up the hillside to reach the gateway to the village, which provides stunning views of the mountainous countryside of the Viterbo Province. See this extraordinary sight while you can, as the volcanic rocks on which it stands are being rapidly eroded.
Purchase your admission at the Civita di Bagnoregio Ticket Office and start walking across the pedestrian bridge that leads to the rock formation’s summit. As you stroll across this railed footpath, take in the scenic vistas of the rocky and green surrounding terrain of the Valley of Calanchi. The suspension bridge is 984 feet (300 meters) long.
At the end of the bridge, climb the steps and pass through the Porta San Maria to enter the village, which was established by the Etruscan peoples around 2,500 years ago. Close to the Chiaro and Torbido rivers, this rock formation made for an ideal strategic location.
Once inside the village, visit the Civita di Bagnoregio Museum and learn how the Romans settled here and built water channels.
Go to the main square and step inside the Romanesque San Donato Church. To find out about the area’s natural history and precarious future, browse the exhibits of the Geological Museum. It explains how the hill is crumbling away, garnering it the title of the “Town That Is Dying.”
Find the village in the Viterbo Province of central Italy. Arrive at the Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Rome and drive north for around 90 miles (145 kilometers) to reach the village in roughly 2 hours. Walk east from the adjacent town of Bagnoregio for half an hour to get here. During your travels in the area, visit landmarks including the Lago di Bolsena, the Parco Fluviale del Tevere and the River Tiber.
Impermanent though it may be, the spectacular Civita di Bagnoregio makes a lasting impression.
