Have you already visited the ghost town of Buonanotte? If you are a lover of surreal places and ghost villages, in this article we will give you some interesting information. If you are traveling in Abruzzo, in the Sangro Valley, you can visit the ghost village of Buonanotte. (This visit was carried out by Viaggiando Italia staff on 11 May 2024).
The village has very ancient origins, but in the last century it gradually became depopulated due to rock erosion, a landslide which still threatens its survival. Over time, the inhabitants of the village have repopulated the town of Montebello sul Sangro, just below.
Buonanotte (Goodnight) or Malanotte (Badnight)? A bit of history
The distinctive character of this small town, located about eight hundred meters above sea level, is its history of change over the centuries.
Originally, during the feudal rule of the soldier Oderisio, the village was known as Malanotte, but over time this name transformed into Buonanotte.
It is said that this change originated from a conflict between neighboring populations, who, although geographically close, maintained mutual hostility for sometimes banal reasons.
Following a defeat in a skirmish against their rivals, the inhabitants of Malanotte suffered an outrage: they surrendered the women of the village to the enemy forces for one night. This event gave rise to two interpretations of the new name: for the humiliated inhabitants, it was a real “bad night”, while for the winners, it was a “goodnight”.
However, in 1969, the name was changed again, perhaps to definitively erase the memory of that sad episode: from Buonanotte it became the current “Montebello sul Sangro”, which reflects the panoramic position of the centre. The town is divided into two parts: the “old town”, located on a rocky saddle, dominated by the remains of an ancient feudal castle, now abandoned due to landslides and instabilities, and the “new town”, safer from the point of geological view, located further down.
How to visit the ghost town of Buonanotte?
Access to the ghost village of Buonanotte is totally free. You must arrive at the entrance staircase just after a road tunnel. If you like, here is the GPS entry point to the village. Among the ruins of the houses you will also be able to notice some contemporary art installations which, together with the ancient remains of the town, will give the atmosphere an even more surreal connotation.
The Ghost of Buonanotte?
During your visit to this place you will be able to listen to the music of a radio coming from one of the disabled houses. You might think it’s inhabited by someone, but even if you knock, no one will ever come to the door? Could it be the ghost of Goodnight? Who knows, go visit him and tell us your opinion.
Mimmo D’Angelo’s affection for this place
Scattered here and there on the walls of the ruined houses you can read some of ‘s poetic compositions. These are texts that recall the happy past, slower and more pleasant lifestyles, between nature and ancient traditions. We have never met him, but we are certain that his love and respect for this place flies high, from the walls of this place to all of Abruzzo.
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