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Museo geologico e delle frane of Civita di Bagnoregio: a journey through the changing earth
In the heart of the Valle dei Calanchi, the Geological and Landslide Museum explains to visitors how nature and time have shaped the unique landscape of Civita di Bagnoregio. The exhibition leads visitors through rocks, fossils and interactive models that explain the formation of the terrain and the instability that has affected the village (known worldwide as “the dying city”) for centuries.
From ancient waters to volcanoes
Over a million years ago, a shallow sea covered this fragile yet spectacular area. Later, the eruptions of the Vulsinian volcanic district transformed the landscape, depositing tuff and ash that still define much of the Viterbo area. Inside the museum, geological models and stratigraphic sections help visitors trace this long evolution from the ancient seafloor to the “badlands” that now surround Civita.
Understanding the past to protect the future
The museum shows how landslides and erosion continue to shape the territory, as well as the monitoring and stabilization works carried out to protect the inhabited center. Observing the materials, photographs and surveys up close helps visitors to see that the land is a living organism (constantly moving and seeking balance). Understanding these processes is the first step towards protecting this landscape, so that the extraordinary territory of Civita di Bagnoregio and its valley may continue to be admired for many years to come.
