Civita di Bagnoregio is one of the more extraordinary sites in Italy, perched on an unstable, crumbling pateau above the valley east of Lago di Bolsena, with just 16 inhabitants, only accessible by a reinforced footbridge, founded by the Etruscans more than 2,500 years ago, and the birthplace of Saint Bonaventure, who died in 1274 but who’s boyhood home has long since fallen off the edge of the cliff encircling and slowly destroying the town.

The striking landscape of the surrounding valley is caused by erosion and lanslides, and Civita is perched on a volcanic tuff being eroded by the unstable clay base on which it sits. It is is constant danger of destruction due to the erosion and sesmic instability, but is now a major tourist attraction with a unique pay toll at the bridge entrance.