ITALY ~ Civita di Bagnoregio - Tuscia ~

... Spectacular view of one of the most magical and charming little towns in Italy... known as the "Dying City"” because its friable, volcanic base continues slowly crumbling into the valley... experts believe that Civita di Bagnoregio is just one-third of its original size... only a handful of residents lives here year-round... tourism has turned Civita into an open-air museum... more than 700,000 people visit it each year... because of its location the city has remained isolated and protected... its stone streets and buildings are wonderfully well preserved...  history lovers can take a trip back in time... the only way into this little town is by a 300m long steep footbridge which leads you to the entrance through Civita’s impressive town Gate... because of its location, it’s the only Italian town with an entrance fee... the erosion around the city is extreme, and the cost to keep the city standing is quite high... to better address its never-ending battle with the forces of nature, Civita di Bagnoregio became the first (and only) Italian town to charge an entrance fee.... Thanks a lot Gian Luca and Raffaella! (✿ ♥‿♥)

Civita di Bagnoregio is located at 443 meters above sea level in the Province of Viterbo in central Italy and was founded by Etruscans more than 2,500 years ago.

Between the fifth and eighth centuries, Civita was almost continually subjected to siege, changing hands numerous times. It was first occupied by the Goths, then the Byzantines, followed by the Lombards, before becoming part of the Papal States in 774.

Stamp:

Football Players - The 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Valentino Mazzola

(Issued 26-01-2019)