2023 Guide to Civita di Bagnoregio: Italy’s Enchanting Dying City
Civita di Bagnoregio (also known as Civita) is the most well-known hamlet of the municipality of Bagnoregio, which is located in Upper Lazio, more specifically in the province of Viterbo.
Civita di Bagnoregio, known as the “Dying City” for some time now, owes its particular fame to its topographical location in a valley of gullies that separates Lake Bolsena and the Tiber River, which made the particularly unstable, fragile land at serious risk of erosion, undermining the hamlet’s foundations.
History
The Tiber Valley served as a communication route during the Etruscan era, bringing several parts of Central Italy (Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio) into direct contact, and it is along this line that the history of Bagnoregio and the settlement of Civita began.
Civita di Bagnoregio can only be reached via Porta Santa Maria (or Porta della Cava), which necessitates crossing a lengthy and steep pedestrian bridge. Cyclists and motorcycle riders must obtain permission from the city government.
People noted the erosive phenomenon in Roman times and attempted to rectify it by building embankments and directing the rivers, with limited success.
Despite the entire hamlet having undergone a remarkable architectural re-elaboration of the spaces from the Middle Ages onwards, structural and territorial degradation continued unabated with the end of the Roman Empire.
Exploring Civita’s Charms: From Ancient Churches to Museums
While just approximately ten people live in Civita di Bagnoregio on a permanent basis, the daily visitor traffic is much higher. Visitors should take note of the numerous views available between alleys and small squares, beginning with the Church of San Donato. This magnificent 5th-century structure holds the Holy Crucifix, which is carried in procession on Good Friday.
The Bishop’s Palace, the Alemanni Palace (which contains the Geological and Landslide Museum), San Bonaventura’s birthplace, and the Porta di Santa Maria at the end of the pedestrian path leading to the hamlet are also worth seeing.
Easy Access to Civita di Bagnoregio
Despite its seemingly remote geographical location, Civita di Bagnoregio is not difficult to access. In actuality, from Rome, take the A1-E45 freeway to the Orte exit, then continue towards Viterbo along the SS675, and once diverted into the SP5 at Vitorchiano, you will be in Bagnoregio in around 30 kilometers.
The distance from the city is roughly 120 kilometers; the distance from Viterbo is around 28 kilometers; and the distance from Lake Bolsena is approximately 15 kilometers.
Those who prefer public transportation can take the rail to Orvieto or Viterbo and then take the COTRAL buses to Bagnoregio. In all situations, visitors must walk the Bagnoregio-Civita path.
