The Abandoned Town of Cirella Vecchia
Above the now inhabited area of Cirella on a rocky hillside along the western slopes of the mountain stands the remains of the ancient medieval village, Cirella Vecchia, perched on a natural terrace typical of other Bizantine and Norman centers along the Calabrian Tyrrhenian coast (ie Scalea, Amantea).
The town was established after bloody Saracen raids caused the inhabitants living on the coast to head to a safer position that was more ideal for defense.
The Castle which sits at the very top of the town gives reason to believe that the foundation of this village dates back to the Byzantine era. However, there are certain characteristics of the castle that are representative of the Normans who arrived in Calabria during the second half of the 11th century. The castle saw further alterations and fortification during the two major periods that followed – Swabian and Angevin.
It seems that even with its incredible strategic position, it wasn’t meant to withstand the test of time. The town was hit by plaques and earthquakes which devastated the town, but it met its end in 1806 after a heavy bombardment utterly destroyed the town.
The ruins of Cirella are all the remains today. Its tragic story can be seen looming over you from the streets below.
I’ve passed the town on numerous occasions and I always caught myself looking up to the ruins, abandoned towns like these have always intrigued me.
While my mom was visiting last fall, I proposed the idea of checking out the ruins. We weren’t exactly sure what we would find or if we’d even be able to get access to them, but we were up for an adventure.
We drove the long winding road up to Cirella Vecchia and parked the car in a small parking lot next to the ruins.
Chiesa Dell’Annunziata
Immediately you find yourself standing in front of what’s left of the Chiesa Dell’Annunziata. Sitting within the remaining walls of this church sits an altar and seating that seem out of place against the backdrop of ruins, but it’s there for those who want to take a moment to pray or reflect. Researchers can’t confirm this church’s origins. It might have been built in the 9th century at the same time the community was established.
Then, if you look to the right of the altar is a small room. Inside there is a ledge with a guest book where you can sign in.
After visiting the church, you are ready to make your way up the pathway that leads up to the town.
The views of the town above and the coastline below are already worth the extra time to takes to get here. There isn’t an actual map that helps you to understand exactly where you are, but displays give some info (in Italian).
The area of the ruins is quite big and I didn’t explore all of it. The paths are quite overgrown and I wasn’t dressed to do any real hiking. But, let’s take a look at what I did manage to see.
La Torre D’Ingresso (The Entrance Tower)
This is one of the biggest and most intact structures of Cirella Vecchia. It dates back to the late Middle Ages. Imagine once upon a time, passing through this grand entrance to find yourself in the heart of the castle. Standing on what was once a large open square.
Here you’ll also find an opening that once belonged to a well. Don’t get too close though, you don’t want to fall in!
La Torre Rettangolare (The Rectangular Tower)
This tower is centrally located between the arched entrance and the round tower. This tower went through many phases, but the original structure of the tower was built in the 12th Century.
La Chiesa di San Nicola Magno
Located to the south of the castle is the main church with its adjoining bell tower. It dates back to around the 15th or 16th centuries. A manuscript from the 17th Century tells of the siege in 1567 by the Turks. They ransacked and stripped the church of its silver and other sacred items.
The path around the ruins is bursting with wild plant life from prickly pear cactus to poppies. Nature lovers will love the info of plant life you can find in the area.
Cirella Vecchia has always fascinated me. This impromptu drive up to check it out was a lot of fun. Also, being able to experience it for the first time with loved ones made it all the more memorable.
What do you think of old abandoned villages or towns? Have you ever visited a ghost town? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!
Comments are closed.
Alexandra Christensen
March 4, 2020 at 9:19 pmThis place is amazing and it’s so neat that you were able to explore it. I was interested in the history and you mentioned several earthquakes but then it came to its ultimate destruction because of the bombardment in 1806, I believe? I have never heard of a bombardment and will have to look it up because I have no idea what that is; if it’s a natural disaster or maybe something from war. But it really is fascinating!
Erica (The Prepping Wife)
March 3, 2020 at 3:10 pmI find places like this so intriguing! I want to know the history, and find myself wondering what life looked like here when the town was inhabited. Abandoned places are so full of mystery and wonder. What a fun and spontaneous place to visit.
LuLu
March 4, 2020 at 7:46 amI’m the same way! Abandoned villages certainly many stories to tell – but we are left to your imagination to tell the story.
LuLu
March 4, 2020 at 7:46 amI’m the same way! Abandoned villages certainly have many stories to tell – but we are left to your imagination to tell the story.
Smita
March 2, 2020 at 10:03 amThis reminded me a lot of the ruins I saw recently in Cyprus – similar Byzantine architecture and dating back centuries. I find such visits very fascinating even though I’m not a history buff!
LuLu
March 3, 2020 at 7:36 amIt’s true, they are very similar. There is also an ancient amphitheater, but it’s closed to the public for safety reasons. I would have loved to see it though!
Britt K
March 1, 2020 at 5:09 pmI LOVE exploring abandoned towns and villages like this. I find myself walking around and imagining what life would have been like for those who lived there. Picturing the buildings and the people, it’s almost like taking a trip back in time. It’s fascinating!
LuLu
March 3, 2020 at 7:37 amI know what you, I’m the same way! 🙂
Melanie williams
March 1, 2020 at 7:00 amOh wow I love all your piccys. I would deffo like to visit this place for sure xx
Sonia Seivwright
February 29, 2020 at 5:54 pmMy mum would love this town. The old buildings are quite creative with the cracks.
LuLu
March 1, 2020 at 8:41 amMy mom really enjoyed this place, it’s interesting to explore and try and guess what things were once upon a time! 🙂
Subhashish Roy
February 29, 2020 at 11:55 amI have never had the opportunity to visit an abandoned town. And seeing this one, Cirella Vecchia I wonder what was the reason. It looks so nice even now and surely would have been such a lovely place to stay when it was inhabited.
LuLu
March 1, 2020 at 8:42 amIt was definitely a town with an incredible view of the coastline. There are many towns like this that have been abandoned for one reason or another and they always fascinate me. I hope to visit some others soon!
Stephanie S.
February 28, 2020 at 8:51 pmI really enjoyed learning more about this abandoned town. I love the photos that you took as well. The coastline below was absolutely beautiful. I was very interested in learning more about it. Thank you so much for sharing.
LuLu
March 1, 2020 at 8:43 amI’m glad you enjoyed it – it was a great experience especially since I’ve always passed by it wondering what it was like up close!
Scott DeNicola
February 28, 2020 at 5:44 pmWhy I love reading your posts is the sheer age and history of some of these towns and places like Cirella Vecchia. The 11th century!! Crazy to think that these fortifications and castles were around during the middle ages. If those walls could talk you’d hear quite the story. Love the little church and altar and all the tunnels. The view is spectacular and I agree it looks well worth the hike.
LuLu
March 1, 2020 at 8:45 amI know what you mean Scott! Coming from Canada, which isn’t very old, I’m always so impressed by how old some of these places are. I touch the walls and imagine how many generations and populations passed through here. Even after all these years, that feeling has never left me!
Kelly
September 18, 2019 at 9:12 pmImpromptu visit are the best! I really love being able to learn about ancient civilizations through the ruins that remain. Great views from the castle too! xxKelly
LuLu
September 25, 2019 at 7:17 amSometimes the best experiences come out of those unplanned spurs of the moment decisions. It was definitely a treat and the views were amazing! 🙂 Thanks for the comment cara!
Jasmine
September 17, 2019 at 2:17 pmLuLu, towns like this always intrigue me too. Sometimes there’s nothing more I love than exploring abandoned ruins and just thinking about the stories that lie in them. Thanks for doing the August DVB post (I was away on vacation so apologize for being MIA for it and for comments until now!). Love, Jasmine.
LuLu
September 25, 2019 at 7:15 amI know what you mean! It blows my mind to think that once upon a time it was a place that people lived and loved in! Hope you had a good vacation bella! Welcome back! 🙂
Kristie Prada
September 8, 2019 at 12:45 pmThis is fascinating Lulu, I love how you always draw us to these unusual spots! I’m always intrigued by ruins as well. The way the church pews and altar are all intact just waiting for their congregation to return is quite eerie!
LuLu
September 10, 2019 at 8:19 amThanks Kristie! I had the exact same reaction when I saw the church all intact. I honestly think they still hold services on certain occasions. I signed the book. 🙂
Ann
August 28, 2019 at 9:49 amthank for sharing. we will add this to our stops along that coast. We will bring our hiking shoes. We will be touring from Paola to Maratea.
Lucy and Kelly
August 26, 2019 at 5:08 amThis is so interesting! We love this kind of thing!! 🙂
Lucy and Kelly
theblossomtwins.com
LuLu
August 26, 2019 at 8:01 amSo do I! Thanks for stopping by the blog! xoxo
Sonia
August 25, 2019 at 8:30 pmI love ruins. They’re hauntingly beautiful. I love that there’s a guest book in the church to sign. Maybe one day I can visit.
LuLu
August 26, 2019 at 8:00 amI totally agree with you! The guest book is a really cool touch – I wasn’t expecting that at all! 🙂 I really hope you can come and explore Calabria one day!
Cristina
August 23, 2019 at 11:24 pmCiao Lulu
I absolutely love ruins and abandoned places! This one looks fascinating, and I love the photo of the church. I’ve been to several ‘ghost churches’ but can’t think of any whole towns. I want to go to Craco. Ciao, Cristina
LuLu
August 24, 2019 at 6:54 amMe too!! I don’t know exactly why. I guess it seems crazy to think that the whole population of a village just left, even though at the time there was a good reason! I also think Craco would be cool to check out!! Thanks for commenting, a presto! 🙂
KareninCalabria
August 17, 2019 at 1:38 amInteresting looking ruins. I haven’t ever been there, but from your photos the town clearly thrived back in the day. It looks like a good place for hikers. The church with the orderly pews and guest book makes quite a nice impression. I’ve been to a few ghost towns in Italy and also in the western US, the type with swinging doors on the saloon facing a wide main street, and a gunfight schedule on the hour.
LuLu
August 20, 2019 at 5:38 pmIt’s worth a trip, we went on our way back from a day trip to Diamante. I’ve always been curious about Cirella Vecchia so it was cool to check it out. I’ve only been to one other “ghost town” which wasn’t really a ghost town because the town basically rebuilt right next to it and the abandoned part of the town is right next to the new town. It was kind of strange!
Image Earth Travel
August 13, 2019 at 11:46 amLooks great!
Do you know of any buses from Cosenza to Cirella Vecchia or is it only reachable by private car?
LuLu
August 13, 2019 at 4:03 pmIt’s definitely a cool place to check out if you like abandoned villages! 🙂 As far as I know, Cirella Vecchia is only accessible by car.
Ian Harrison
August 12, 2019 at 8:48 pmImber, Wilts – a different type of “ghost town” ?
LuLu
August 13, 2019 at 4:01 pmI looked it up, really interesting and kind of creepy!