News and Events ~ July 2009

News from the Society:

The geological events called “Frana” by the Crachesi was the most significant of all the devastations impacting the town over its 1500 year history. Craco was always resilient overcoming wars, famines, and pestilence.  Even the mass migration that occurred throughout Southern Italy at the beginning of the 20th Century only temporarily reduced the population.  By 1961 Craco’s population returned to its normal level and then as shown in the chart to the right the resulting years after the frana show a decline.
Many assume that Craco was affected by an earthquake similar to what recently struck Abbruzzo, but the Frana events are a different geological phenomenon.  It is also assumed that this was a sudden and drastic event that led to the total abandonment of the old town.  In fact, quite the opposite is the case. Craco continuously suffered from landslides with many instances documented back to the 1800’s.  Note Storiche sul Comune di Craco, the history of the town, cites an 1870 event that “would lead to the disaster in the 1960’s.”
The word “frana” can be translated as a “landslide” but what led to the events that plagued Craco were more complex and are the subject of ongoing academic study.  Several manmade and geological events occurred that impacted the underlying structure that Craco Vecchio sits on.  When these occurred in a compressed period of time they culminated in the “frana” that the Crachesi refer to.  These conditions can be seen on the upper part of the hill the town sits on with rock falls while earth flows are occurring below ground.  These were most visible on the southern slope of the town which has the most hazardous conditions and suffered large damage.
The 1963 event (pictured above) is considered to be the event which led to the demise of the town was followed by several smaller events leading to the progressive abandonment of most of Craco Vecchio.  Over the course of these sequential events there was no loss of life even though photographs show devastating dam-age to property.
With the decision to create a new town that would keep the Crachesi together adequate land was acquired and development of Craco Peschiera was undertaken with a phased relocation of inhabitants as accommodations in the new town became available.  Although most of the residents shifted to the new facilities there was a small number of people who were able to stay in the Sant’ Angelo section of Craco Vecchio and which continues to be inhabited today.

The image on the Society’s July 2009 calendar page was taken in December 1963 after one of the most destructive episodes.  Contemporary newspaper articles give us an understanding of the events as they occurred.
The first article appearing on December 7th raises concern with two-thirds of the town being impacted and states: “the situation remains grave …”  December 8th found the following report: “...The landslide...moves slowly ...and covers ten acres of land...  The houses involved in this area are a hundred.  Twenty-five are at risk, so that the mayor has already issued the first evacuation orders...  The town is situated...on gravel and clay. It has a population of just over 1700 inhabitants divided into 380 families.”
Then on December 11th the news turned worse: “a dense rain, falling for more than twenty-four hours...the landslide movement...was further exacerbated...  The landslide affecting the village has extended to other buildings, so much so that some owners of houses on DeCesare and Alighieri streets reported injuries to their buildings...  Craco is on the list of towns to be consolidated at the expense of the state.  Approximately eighty percent of the buildings have damage.”
It continued the next day on December 12th: “The rainfall has icreased the concerns...the landslide has abruptly moved further...damaged homes increase and orders for evacuation of about forty were issued...  It is a painful spectacle: the household goods are transported...from homes...   Even those who still have a house in good condition, do not hide their fears.”
On December 16th harsh conditions continued to be reported: “Violent gusts of wind...Craco remained in the dark due to failure of the electricity grid...two more orders for eviction were issued for homes at risk.”
The December 21st articles provide: “Christmas is coming.  The people, however, are sad and worried about the serious threat of landslides…Craco residents live in a day by day state of panic…”
Then on December 30th: “News that instead of dissipating fears...has increased.  In essence, the landslides are of two different intensities.  The first and largest includes the southern facing center of the town and the other is slower but no less worrying.  The hopes of a temporary containment are in the large arched wall built along Route 103, which almost surrounds the town.  The wall although solid, has a central bulge...and would lead to landslides of significant quantities, the destruction of many homes...  The situation...to safeguard public safety...raises many moral and economic problems of considerable scope: Can a small town of 1700 people be evacuated?  What would remain of the old town?  Absolutely nothing.  Then there are serious apprehensions of the owners of houses (cost and the sacrifices of generations), who see their property at risk and do not know if they have adequate compensation or urgent rehabilitation works envisaged by authorities…”
We know the subsequent events and results but also recognize that even after all these years there is a resilient spirit to somehow bring Craco Vecchio a rebirth.