23 Places Where Nature Has Reclaimed Abandoned Cities

15. Balestrino, Italy – The Ghost Town in the Hills

Hidden in the hills of Liguria, Italy, the ancient village of Balestrino was once home to generations of farmers and artisans. Its history dates back to at least the 11th century, and its medieval stone houses, winding alleys, and towering church made it an architectural gem. However, Balestrino’s idyllic existence was shattered in the mid-20th century, when a series of relentless earthquakes left it structurally unsafe for habitation. The town’s foundations weakened, and residents were forced to flee, abandoning their homes, churches, and marketplaces. Decades later, Balestrino remains frozen in time, an eerie yet beautiful reminder of a forgotten past. Ivy and moss have overtaken its ancient stone buildings, creeping up walls and breaking through cracks in its cobbled streets. Windows stare out like hollow eyes, and doorways lead to empty interiors where nature has begun to take root. The silence of the village is occasionally broken by the sound of birds nesting in the ruins or the wind whispering through narrow passageways.