Calanchi, Natural park in Aliano, Italy.
Calanchi is a natural park in Aliano featuring deep clay gullies and sharp ridges carved by water erosion over millennia. The formations create distinctive patterns across the landscape and continue to shift as rain and runoff reshape the terrain.
The area gained attention in the 1930s when writer Carlo Levi documented the landscape during his exile under Fascism. His time here left lasting records of conditions in this southern Italian region.
The medieval tombs discovered beneath Aliano's piazza reveal the archaeological significance of this area, containing ancient Greek and Roman artifacts.
The park is freely accessible year-round with trails that pass through the clay formations. During rain, it is good to check if paths are safely walkable, as the landscape drains quickly.
The park spreads below the village perched on a hill above, and the gullies are often covered with faintly glowing fungi, especially in damper months. Visitors often do not realize they are walking beneath a living village.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
