Roscigno Vecchia - Image 1
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Roscigno Vecchia

4.6
·973 reviews·Roscigno, Italy

Step into Roscigno Vecchia, a captivating ghost town in Cilento where time stopped in the early 1900s, preserving a unique rural past.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Spring & Autumn mornings

Pleasant weather, fewer crowds

CrowdLow
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Roscigno Vecchia - Image 1

Roscigno Vecchia

Best Time

Spring & Autumn mornings

Pleasant weather, fewer crowds

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Step into Roscigno Vecchia, a captivating ghost town in Cilento where time stopped in the early 1900s, preserving a unique rural past.

4.6
(973 reviews)

"A beautiful ghost town with a surreal atmosphere, absolutely worth a trip!"

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Follow Main Roads

Avoid GPS detours; stick to main routes to reach Roscigno Vecchia safely. :round_pushpin:

🚶‍♀️ Easy Exploration

The village is quite flat, making it easy to walk around and explore its historic charm. :athletic_shoe:

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Abandoned Village

The Abandoned Village

Wander through silent streets and stone houses, frozen in time since the early 1900s.

Instagram+1
Museum of Peasant Civilization

Museum of Peasant Civilization

Discover farming tools and photos from a bygone era, offering a glimpse into past lives.

Reddit
Giuseppe, the Sole Resident

Giuseppe, the Sole Resident

Meet Giuseppe, the village's enduring soul, who shares stories and preserves its memory.

InstagramReddit
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Planning Your Visit

Embrace the Ghost Town Vibe

Roscigno Vecchia is an abandoned village, evacuated due to landslides. It's now an open-air museum of early 20th-century rural life. Visit to experience a surreal, time-frozen atmosphere. Instagram+1

Navigating to Roscigno Vecchia

GPS can be tricky; stick to main roads to avoid getting lost on small paths. Reddit The village is relatively flat, making it easy to explore on foot. Reddit

Best Times

When
Spring & Autumn mornings
Why
Pleasant weather, fewer crowds
Crowd
Low
When
August afternoons
Why
Experience local life slowing down
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Ieri sono stato a fare un tour nell’entroterra cilentano per mostrarvi alcuni luoghi ancora poco conosciuti. Qui eravamo nel paese fantasma di Roscigno Vecchia che è stato abbandonato nel 1908 a seguito di un’ordinanza del Genio Civile che imponeva alla cittadinanza di sgomberare il paese a causa di un dissesto idrogeologico. Roscigno è stata la prima tappa di un lungo percorso che vi ho raccont...
campaniadavivere
7.4K likes • 261.2K views

🎯 Follow Main Roads

Avoid GPS detours; stick to main routes to reach Roscigno Vecchia safely. Reddit :round_pushpin:

🚶‍♀️ Easy Exploration

The village is quite flat, making it easy to walk around and explore its historic charm. Reddit :athletic_shoe:

Roscigno Vecchia, il borgo fantasma nel cuore del Cilento. #cilento #trip #borgofantasma #cilentotour #tourculturale #tourleader #travelphotography #viviilcilento
cilento.tour
25 likes • 814 views
Nel cuore del #Cilento c’è un paese fantasma che ci racconta oltre 100 anni di abbandono. A Roscigno Vecchia il tempo si è fermato ai primi del 900 e tutto è rimasto così com’era. Ph. @campaniadavivere Tag #campaniadavivere
campaniadavivere
29K likes • 548.4K views

🎁 Bring a Small Gift

Consider bringing fruit or red wine for Giuseppe, the sole resident, as a kind gesture. Instagram :gift:

📸 Capture the Atmosphere

The surreal, silent beauty is perfect for photography. Instagram+1 :camerawithflash:

Agosto in Cilento non è solo folla. Trentinara, Roscigno Vecchia, Felitto, Corleto Monforte e Piaggine: qui il tempo rallenta. 🇮🇹 Reel by @cilento_foodandplaces #cilento_foodandplaces #cilento #suditalia #southitaly #italy #italia #borghi #borghipiubelliditalia
cilento_foodandplaces
1.4K likes • 46.7K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Follow Main Roads

Avoid GPS detours; stick to main routes to reach Roscigno Vecchia safely. Reddit :round_pushpin:

🚶‍♀️ Easy Exploration

The village is quite flat, making it easy to walk around and explore its historic charm. Reddit :athletic_shoe:

🎁 Bring a Small Gift

Consider bringing fruit or red wine for Giuseppe, the sole resident, as a kind gesture. Instagram :gift:

📸 Capture the Atmosphere

The surreal, silent beauty is perfect for photography. Instagram+1 :camerawithflash:

What Travellers Say

4.6
(973 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors find Roscigno Vecchia a beautiful and special place with a surreal, ghost-town atmosphere, offering a unique glimpse into the past. The ease of exploration and the presence of Giuseppe, the sole resident, are frequently highlighted as memorable aspects. Some note that GPS can be unreliable for navigation.

"The residents abandoned this old village in the very early 1900s. It's now on the Unesco heritage list and is slowly being repaired. It's very easy to walk about being quite flat given the mountainous area. I recommend you visit if in the area. The museum houses all of the farming implements left behind together with many photos from those times."

Sonia Di Benedetto

"This place is beautiful and special. Don't let yourself be fooled by Google GPS as it will lead you to small paths... Stay on the main road."

Daniela Reusch

"The old town of Roscigno Vecchia was evacuated starting in 1902 due to landslides danger. The inhabitants moved to the Roscigno Nuova settlement, and now the old towns stands as an open-air museum of the last century farmer culture. Few buildings have been restored and preserved. Absolutely worth a stop while visiting the Cilento National Park"

Massimo Federico

What People Like

Surreal ghost town atmosphere
Unique historical insight
Friendly sole resident

What People Dislike

GPS navigation issues

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Roscigno Vecchia is located in the Cilento region of Campania, Italy. While GPS can sometimes lead you down difficult paths, it's best to stick to the main roads. Reddit The journey offers scenic views of the surrounding countryside. Instagram

Public transport options to Roscigno Vecchia can be limited. It's generally recommended to travel by car for the most flexibility and ease of access. Instagram

The village itself is quite flat and easy to explore on foot. Reddit Wear comfortable shoes as you'll be walking on uneven stone paths. Reddit :athletic_shoe:

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Roscigno Vecchia is an open-air museum and generally does not require an entrance fee. You can explore the village freely. Instagram+1

As an abandoned village, there are no official opening hours. You can visit at any time, though daylight hours are recommended for safety and better exploration. Instagram

Information on specific entry fees for the Museum of Peasant Civilization can vary. It's advisable to check locally or inquire upon arrival. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

Explore the abandoned stone houses, the central piazza, and the Museum of Peasant Civilization. InstagramReddit You can also meet Giuseppe, the sole resident, who shares stories of the village. InstagramReddit

Yes, Roscigno Vecchia can be an interesting experience for families, offering a unique glimpse into history. However, supervision is advised due to the nature of the abandoned buildings. Instagram

The village has a surreal and silent atmosphere, often described as a 'ghost town' where time has stood still. Instagram+1 It evokes a strong sense of history and memory. Instagram

Absolutely! Roscigno Vecchia is a photographer's dream, with its atmospheric ruins and timeless charm. Instagram+1 Capture the unique beauty of this abandoned village. :camerawithflash:

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Roscigno Vecchia is an abandoned village, so there are no dining facilities within the village itself. You'll need to find eateries in nearby towns like Roscigno Nuova or other villages in the Cilento area. Instagram

Yes, bringing your own food and drinks is a good idea, especially if you plan to spend a few hours exploring. There are no services available within the abandoned village. :picnic_sun:

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Roscigno Vecchia can be an intriguing destination for families, offering a unique 'ghost town' adventure. It's a chance for children to imagine life in the past and explore a place that feels like stepping back in time. Instagram+1 The relatively flat terrain makes it manageable for younger children to walk around. Reddit However, due to the abandoned nature of the buildings, close supervision is essential to ensure safety. Instagram

📸 Photographers & Art Lovers

For photographers and art enthusiasts, Roscigno Vecchia is a treasure trove. The village's atmospheric ruins, stone architecture, and the palpable sense of history provide endless inspiration. Instagram+1 Capture the unique light, textures, and the melancholic beauty of this abandoned gem. Instagram The surreal silence and timeless quality make it an ideal location for evocative and artistic shots. :camerawithflash:

🚶‍♂️ History Buffs & Cultural Explorers

History buffs will be fascinated by Roscigno Vecchia's story of abandonment and its preservation as an open-air museum. InstagramReddit Exploring the Museum of Peasant Civilization offers direct insight into the lives of the former inhabitants. Reddit Meeting Giuseppe, the sole resident, adds a personal and living dimension to the historical narrative, making the experience deeply enriching. InstagramReddit

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

The Story of Abandonment

Roscigno Vecchia was evacuated in the early 1900s, primarily due to geological instability and the risk of landslides. Instagram The decision was made by civil engineers, forcing the inhabitants to relocate to a new settlement, Roscigno Nuova. Instagram This event left the original village frozen in time, preserving the architecture and artifacts of a rural community from over a century ago. Instagram

The area's karst landscape and frequent landslides contributed to the decision to abandon the old town. Instagram Today, Roscigno Vecchia stands as a poignant reminder of the relationship between human settlements and the natural environment, offering a unique historical perspective. Instagram

Giuseppe: The Guardian of Memories

A unique aspect of Roscigno Vecchia is its sole, long-term resident, Giuseppe Spagnuolo. For over two decades, he has been the living heart of the abandoned village, choosing to stay and preserve its legacy. Instagram+1 His presence adds a profound layer of humanity to the otherwise silent streets, transforming it from just ruins into a place with a living connection to its past. Instagram

Visitors often speak of Giuseppe's warmth and willingness to share stories about the village's history and his own life there. InstagramReddit He is seen not just as an inhabitant, but as a guardian of the village's memories and identity, making a visit to Roscigno Vecchia a deeply personal and memorable experience. Instagram+1

Photography Opportunities

Roscigno Vecchia offers a surreal and atmospheric setting for photographers. The abandoned stone houses, the quiet piazza, and the remnants of daily life create compelling visual narratives. Instagram+1 The play of light and shadow on the ancient stones, combined with the profound silence, makes for evocative shots. Instagram

Whether you're drawn to architectural details, the sense of history, or the melancholic beauty of decay, Roscigno Vecchia provides endless opportunities. Instagram Capture the essence of a place where time has stopped, and let the silent stories of the past inspire your lens. Instagram :camerawithflash: