# Abandoned villages and ghost towns in Italy

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/abandoned-villages-and-ghost-towns-in-italy
> Updated: 2026-09-21T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Historical and abandoned settlements across various Italian regions serve as markers of the country’s changing landscape and history. In Calabria, the village of Arena represents an ancient settlement that evolved from a Greek colony to a Roman municipium and a medieval fiefdom, featuring Norman-era ruins.

In Liguria, sites such as Balestrino were abandoned due to hydrogeological instability, while others like Bussana Vecchia have experienced a resurgence as artistic hubs. In the Trentino-Alto Adige region, abandonment is linked to different historical drivers, including plagues, floods, and forced migrations. Notable examples include the bell tower of Curon Vecchia in Lake Resia and sites like Irone, which was depopulated following a 17th-century plague.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-21: Ghost towns of Trentino-Alto Adige mapped

A map of abandoned 'ghost towns' in Trentino-Alto Adige highlights sites like Curon Vecchia and Irone, shaped by historical floods, plagues, and migrations.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ghost-towns-of-trentino-alto-adige-mapped

### 2026-09-12: Historical and abandoned villages across Italy

Historical and abandoned villages across Italy, such as Arena in Calabria and Balestrino in Liguria, offer unique insights into the country's cultural heritage and geological history.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/historical-and-abandoned-villages-across-italy

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Cite as: Abandoned villages and ghost towns in Italy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/abandoned-villages-and-ghost-towns-in-italy