8957 Italian "ghost towns"

I'm also an unkown quantity but my square is blue!

I've heard that green is much more desirable, means you are even more unknown. Maybe there is a scarlet square to identify the pimpernel :-)

Since you've taken this thread out of topic already :smile:... the blue dot is your reputation. People can add to your reputation by clicking on the little scale next to the triangle sign. Just another way for people to indicate that they like/dislike appreciate what you said.

"moved to italiauncovered.co.uk"

[quote=ronald;84357] Just another way for people to indicate that they like/dislike appreciate what you said.[/quote]

Had just figured that out .. I see though that you can only approve ... I'd love the chance to disapprove too, but I suspect that would give you more headaches than you want?

[quote=Torchiarolan;84358].Pigro... I would be inclined to ask the question that "you are an unknown quantity of what ??"[/quote]
in the immortal words of "the prisoner" ... "I am a name, not a number"

Very interesting article, Pigro. I had also heard of Bussana Vecchia; however, it is still on my list of places to be visited. Now, the Giardini di Ninfa one, in Lazio, sounds even more attractive. Another addition to the list....

"moved to italiauncovered.co.uk"

Ninfa is visitable, and definitely worth it - however, it is quite tricky! They tend to keep it off the mass tourist itinerary, not only because it could get damaged by too great a traffic, but it is also part of a nature reserve.
[url=http://www.lipulatina.it/ninfa.htm]Il giardino inglese di Ninfa[/url] seems to have the information on (pre booked) visiting hours and how to pre-book - hope you can cope in Italian - otherwise try a google search.
The garden is located close to the town of Norma, which you should find on a map without too much difficulty.

(I pinched this post from an earlier thread).

Back to the topic - where is this triangle located?

the triangle is the little read road sign with the exclamation mark *the "report post" button) at the far right of the top of a post, beside the post number/permalink bit.

Ninfa can be seen from the hilltop town of Sermoneta and I am told well worth a visit. The history of the city of Ninfa is also fascinating, not much remains now but forms the background for the gardens.
Two things tho' beware of opening times, they are alleged to be strange, and it used to be the case that guided tours only were available. Thankfully the malaria problem has now been solved!

"moved to italiauncovered.co.uk"

Hi Pigro

Just added to your reputation as you seem to get thanked a lot, have quite a witty sign off and I wanted to see how the reputation gizmo worked.

Now, where are those fancy smilies?

Andy

[quote=Torchiarolan;84370]oops c**p ... just clicked the triangle myself ... think I reported your post to the admin by accident Charles. sorry !! :reallyembarrassed:
i clicked back as quick as I could, but if the admin or Ronald read this, please dont fire Charles out... he has a wife and family to support.[/quote]
:bigergrin: Back on topic, there is a *ghost town* near us called Craco. Very spooky going there, as if time stood still.

[quote=redslk;84385]Hi Pigro

Just added to your reputation as you seem to get thanked a lot, have quite a witty sign off and I wanted to see how the reputation gizmo worked.

Now, where are those fancy smilies?

Andy[/quote]

cheers - I think the jury's out on whether the reputation thing will end up as an indicator that someone talks sense ... or just become a mutual back slapping tool. Not much different than the old grazie system I suppose, I'm not clear yet on the distinction, other than that you can't do both on the same post and a grazie appears to count for 5 points. Anyway, consider your back mutually slapped on this occasion!

[quote=Italiargh;84396]:bigergrin: Back on topic, there is a *ghost town* near us called Craco. Very spooky going there, as if time stood still.[/quote]

was it abandoned due to earthquakes etc. or economics?

[quote=pigro;84401]was it abandoned due to earthquakes etc. or economics?[/quote]

Hi Pigro,

Yes, it was abandoned due to earthquakes and landslides. I had looked it up previously on Wilkipedia as my husband's grandmother's family was from there. Here is what it says:

From 1892 - 1922 over 1,300 Crachesi left to settle in North America because poor agricultural conditions created desperate times as the land was not producing enough for the people.

During the mid-twentieth century, recurring earthquakes began to take a toll on the viability of the town. Between 1959 and 1972, portions of the village were severely damaged and rendered uninhabitable by a series of frana, or 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 1,800 inhabitants were transferred to a valley in a locality called Craco Peschiera. That population is now down to about 970 inhabitants.

By the way, I noted you are a Simpson fan - my little town in Springfield, Vermont was named "The Official Home of The Simpsons" last summer.

Lisa

Ta. Who gave your town that official status then ... matt Groening I suppose? I thought it was along running joke in the series that they never revealed the state or location.

[quote=pigro;84406]Ta. Who gave your town that official status then ... matt Groening I suppose? I thought it was along running joke in the series that they never revealed the state or location.[/quote]

Hey Pigro,

Yes, Matt Groenig was here for the big premiere. We actually have the yellow hand holding the pink donut in our local chamber of commerce. You can also click on this link to read more or see the video:

[url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/simpsons-contest.htm]Jubilant Vermont town hits a Homer - USATODAY.com[/url]

Here is an excerpt from one article:
SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – Springfield, Vermont has emerged as the winner of The Simpsons Movie Hometown Movie Challenge.
Springfield beat out 13 other Springfields across the country that entered the Hometown Movie Challenge. Twentieth Century Fox studio asked them to create a video showing their enthusiasm for The Simpsons. Videos were posted on USA TODAY's website, where readers voted for their favorite.
Springfield, Vt. received 15,367 votes. Springfield, Ill., came in second with 14,634 votes. Springfield, Ore., was third with 13,894.
The Vermont town of 9,300 hosted the premiere on July 21 at the Springfield Theater on Main Street with the movie's filmmakers on hand to walk the yellow carpet.

Bussana, somewhere for lunch and a walk around all the shops! Much nicer hill towns to visit who stare all you through emptiness and restoration.

Read somewhere last year about one such citta morta up in the Chianti being turned in to a huge holiday camp by German travel company, TUI. Shudder at the thought but I guess it will provide employment. For years we've been driving past a dead hamlet of around 3 or 4 largish houses probably abandoned since after the War. Noticed last year the arrival of a crane and workmen. Noticed last month hamlet has new name, the road is now signposted to "Restauro". V

[quote=pigro;84401]was it abandoned due to earthquakes etc. or economics?[/quote]
Following on from the other reply, visiting the town, you can see it is from some kind of collapse. Some buildings stand with no floor now, just a 10 foot drop. To be honest it just looks like a regular mountain village, just older looking. Not overgrown either, very accessible.

Well worth visiting (at your own risk of course) if only for the great views it offers of the Basilicata countryside