Alianello
I am a ghost village of Basilicata.
I stand silent among the hills, surrounded by the mysterious and lunar landscape of the “calanchi.”
My stones tell stories of daily life, of lively alleys, of voices that once echoed among my houses.
For centuries, I welcomed families, artisans, and farmers who, with love and effort, made me come alive.
But my fate changed in 1980, when a violent earthquake shook my foundations, making my houses unsafe.
My inhabitants had to abandon me, seeking a safer refuge nearby, in what today is the new Alianello.
Since then, I have remained here, a silent witness to history. My ruins whisper memories of a past full of life.
Today, those who visit me find an atmosphere suspended between reality and imagination.
My abandoned houses, the streets invaded by nature, and the deep silence that surrounds me create an aura of mystery.
I am a place for those who love photography, history, and the echoes of a lost time.
Come visit me, walk among my ruins, listen to the wind that carries the voices of the past.
And look out towards Aliano, where the memory of the great Carlo Levi is preserved.
I am here, waiting to tell you my story and that of my people.
Alianello
About Alianello
When and why was it abandoned?
Alianello was abandoned after the 1980 earthquake, which rendered the dwellings unsafe and uninhabitable.
What to see?
An enchanting ghost town. The ruins, abandoned houses, streets reclaimed by vegetation, and the evocative panorama of the distinctive “calanchi” (badlands).
What to see in the surroundings?
Nearby Alianello, one can visit Aliano, home to the Carlo Levi Literary Park; the Lucanian Badlands Nature Reserve; and the village of Craco, another fascinating ghost town. Further south lies the Senise area with the Monte Cotugno dam, and to the north, the towns of the Val d’Agri.
How many inhabitants lived there before the abandonment?
Before the earthquake, the village had about 500 inhabitants.
Where is it located?
Alianello is in the province of Matera, opposite Aliano—known for being the place of exile of Carlo Levi—and nestled in a picturesque hilly landscape.
What are the “calanchi”?
The “calanchi” are geological formations typical of clay areas subject to erosion, characterized by deep grooves and undulating ridges. They offer a unique and suggestive landscape, particularly visible in areas like Aliano, Montalbano Jonico, Tursi, and Pisticci.
Are there projects for the redevelopment of the ghost town of Alianello?
The association “Save Alianello” is committed to drawing public, media, and institutional attention to the area’s redevelopment.
Where to learn more about Alianello?
For further information, visit the Italian Wikipedia page on Alianello
Talk to me
I’m waiting to hear your feelings
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