Poggioreale, Ghost town in Belice Valley, Sicily, Italy
Poggioreale is an abandoned town in the Belice Valley situated on a hillside in Sicily, with empty streets and decaying buildings that form a complete urban layout. The settlement retains its original street patterns and structures from the mid-20th century, spread across the Mediterranean landscape.
A powerful earthquake in the Belice Valley in 1968 devastated the town and forced residents to leave their homes. The community rebuilt itself in a new location several kilometers south, leaving the original settlement to stand empty.
The people from the old town and their families return regularly to walk through the abandoned streets and recall their daily lives here. These connections keep memories alive and show how deeply rooted the community remained to their original home.
The old town sits on hilly terrain and can be challenging to walk through, especially with uneven ground and stairs between different levels. There is no water, food, or services available on site, so bring plenty of water and wear sturdy shoes for safe navigation.
The houses still contain original furnishings left behind by residents, including furniture, family photos, and personal belongings frozen in time. This snapshot reveals how quickly families had to abandon their homes and the intimate traces of their daily lives.
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