The tiny hill town of Cività di Bagnoregio has been on my list for more than three years. Today, a glorious clear and sunny day, we picked up a Car Share Fiat Panda from the piazza near us and headed north. I can let the pictures speak for themselves: Cività is almost too cute in a medieval-cute sort of way. Even sweeter, we saw mostly young couples wandering hand-in-hand (Ric thinks they were at the Vatican celebration of engagement yesterday) and young families out for a day together. We meandered the little lanes, admired the views, and tucked into some fine country cuisine.
Cività, founded by the Etruscans 2500 years ago, is called Il paese che muore (the town that is dying) because it has been eroding for centuries. It is said about 12 people live there in winter and 100 in summer. Cats seem to out-number residents at this time of year. Doors lead to nowhere and stairs to a cliff edge. Surrounded by badlands and battered by wind, tourism is keeping it alive.
Click on any photo below for a slide show.
It was exhausting to drive today! We both remarked that our train trips – no matter how long – invigorate us. The car trip had us both tense and tired. We had intended to make another stop, but were weary beyond belief. There are so many places one cannot go by train that we must climb in a car now and then, but it sets our minds at ease that we made the right decision to sell the cars and rely on feet and public transportation for most of our needs.
Girovaga 