Civita di Bagnoregio | Siena

Civita di Bagnoregio, known as "The Dying City" (La Città che muore), is a medieval village in the Lazio region, located approximately 115 km southeast of Siena. It is situated on a plateau of friable volcanic tuff surrounded by the deep ravines of the Valle dei Calanchi.

Visual Characteristics

The village is defined by its extreme isolation and precarious position. It sits atop a crumbling pinnacle of rock, accessible only by a long, narrow pedestrian footbridge. The architecture consists of golden-hued stone buildings, narrow medieval alleys, and flower-filled balconies. The surrounding landscape features sharp, white clay ridges (calanchi) caused by centuries of erosion.

Location & Access Logistics

From Siena: * By Car: Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes via the SR2 or A1 motorway (Exit Orvieto).

By Public Transit: Train from Siena to Orvieto, then a COTRAL bus to Bagnoregio. From the Bagnoregio bus stop, it is a 20-minute walk or a small shuttle ride to the bridge entrance.

Entry: A small entry fee (approx. €5) is required to cross the bridge and enter the village.

Mobility: The 300-meter footbridge is steep. Motorized vehicles are prohibited; the village is entirely pedestrian.

Historical & Engineering Origin

Founded by the Etruscans over 2,500 years ago, the site was chosen for its defensible position. The engineering history is a struggle against geological instability. The plateau is composed of volcanic tuff resting on a base of unstable clay and sand. Frequent landslides and seismic activity caused major sections of the town to collapse into the valley over centuries, leading to its gradual abandonment in favor of the "new" town of Bagnoregio.

Key Highlights

Porta Santa Maria: The main gateway to the village, an arched entrance carved into the rock by the Etruscans and later modified with Romanesque elements.

San Donato Church: Located in the main piazza, housing a 15th-century wooden crucifix and the relics of Saint Hildebrand.

The Underground Caves: A network of Etruscan cisterns and medieval cellars carved into the rock beneath the houses, some of which are open to the public as museums or oil mills.

The Belvedere: Observation points along the village edges providing views of the "Valley of the Badlands."

Infrastructure & Amenities

5G signal is stable in the main square but intermittent along the ravine edges. Despite its small permanent population (approx. 10–12 people), the village has several high-quality trattorias, cafes, and bed-and-breakfasts. Public restrooms are located near the main entrance gate.

Best Time to Visit

Open daily. Visit in the early morning to see the village emerging from the valley mist, a phenomenon that makes it appear to float in the sky. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable temperatures for the steep walk across the bridge.

Facts & Legends

The village is the birthplace of Saint Bonaventure, a major medieval philosopher; legend says he was miraculously cured of a childhood illness by Saint Francis of Assisi. The city was used as a visual inspiration for Hayao Miyazaki’s animated film Castle in the Sky.

Nearby Landmarks

Orvieto: 20 km North (Famous for its Gothic Cathedral and St. Patrick's Well).

Lake Bolsena: 15 km West (The largest volcanic lake in Europe).

Monster Park of Bomarzo: 35 km Southeast (Renaissance "Sacred Grove").

Siena: 115 km Northwest.