Italy › Campania › Roscigno Vecchia
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Abandoned village · early 20th century
Roscigno Vecchia
In the heart of the Cilento, Roscigno Vecchia was emptied in the early twentieth century because the ground kept sliding. The square with its fountain and the church of San Nicola has survived intact: that is why it is called the Pompeii of the twentieth century.
Visiting
Before you go
- Getting there
- By car from the A2, exit Atena Lucana, then the SS166 to the Corleto Monforte junction and the signs for Roscigno. The nearest station is Polla, with local buses.
- The visit
- An hour for the village; half a day adding the archaeological site of Monte Pruno, about 2 km away, and the trails along the Sammaro stream.
- When to go
- From April to October. In the new village, Roscigno, the main festivals are in May and August.
- Good to know
- The village's last inhabitant is often there to welcome visitors and tell its story.
Practical information gathered from official and local sources on 9 October 2026. Opening times and conditions change: always check before you go.
Plan your visit
Where to stay nearby
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History
In the Cilento, emptied in stages at the start of the twentieth century because of unstable ground. The square with its fountain has survived almost intact, which is why the village is called the Pompeii of the twentieth century.
Have you been there?
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Nearby
Other abandoned villages nearby
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