Badolato village visit organized to protest rural depopulation

The sports association Calabriando of Catanzaro has organized a visit to the historic village of Badolato on October 4, 2026, to protest and raise awareness regarding the depopulation of rural Italian communities.

The initiative commemorates the 40th anniversary of the “paese in vendita” (village for sale) alarm raised by journalist and librarian Domenico Lanciano on October 7, 1986. This appeal highlighted the risk of abandonment facing many small towns, a phenomenon that currently affects approximately 5,000 out of 8,000 Italian municipalities.

Led by president Riccardo Elia and official Felice Izzi, a group of over thirty participants will tour the village’s historical sites, including the 17th-century Franciscan convent of Santa Maria degli Angeli and the medieval historic center. The excursion also includes viewing the “Pietre parlanti” sculptures by Gianni Verdiglione, which depict the history and peasant struggles of the local population.