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Italian 'ghost town' Celleno offers virtual tours during pandemic
To promote tourism, the village of Celleno is offering virtual tours through its ancient streets that can be enjoyed from the comfort of one’s own home.
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Celleno village in Italy. (Shutterstock/starmaro)
S
omewhere to the north of Rome stands a small yet picturesque village called Celleno, which is offering online guided tours through the town’s historic streets.
The tours will be held through live broadcasts on Facebook, conducted in English by local expert and architect Alessandra Rochi. The first live event was held on June 3 on the town’s official page on Facebook.
Over the past few years, Celleno's popularity has increased among local and international tourists alike, who have been enchanted by its elegiac beauty. The ancient section of the town, perched precariously on the edge of a cliff, has earned the nickname “The Ghost Village” after it was abandoned following violent earthquakes in the past and the similarities it shares with the nearby Civita di Bagnoregio.
Read also: Few tourists, but no gladiators, at Rome's Colosseum
The village is home to marvels such as Orsini Castle and bears the marks of history from the Etruscan and Roman eras and the later Middle Ages. It has also garnered international attention as a shooting location for Netflix’s Black Moon.
As with many parts of the world, Celleno has also faced challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, with infections hitting its nursing home. This resulted in the local health system closing the village and declaring it part of the nation’s red zone. By looking for innovative ways to promote tourism, the residents of Celleno hope to revive the local economy and provide entertainment to those stuck at home due to the pandemic.
In a statement, Celleno Mayor Marco Bianchi said, “There is a rediscovery of the small historic Italian villages which are real treasures throughout Italy: each one has its own great history, beauty and traditions. Our idea is to give viewers all over the world a 'taste' of our heritage, welcoming them to our medieval village, for the moment thanks to the web. The best thing will be to welcome visitors personally in the next few days and following months." (cal/wng)
