For nearly fifty years, the town of Craco in southern Italy has stood uninhabited. Here, dark windows look out at potential travelers like empty eye sockets and the streets and buildings of this medieval town seems to have literally been vacated overnight, left to crumble in decay. 

Craco was once a monastic center, a feudal town and center of education with a university, castle, church, and plazas. Today, thanks to the dramatic landscape and unique atmosphere, Craco has been the set of many movies including Saving Grace , James Bond Quantum of Solace and the hanging of Judas scene in Mel Gibson’s the Passion of the Christ .

* Special mention to Alessandro Patruno for the beautiful photos

@talomedz