Just a short ride north of Rome, Girlawhirl found herself in Calcata, an ancient terraced city that's been reborn as an eclectic art colony. With so many galleries, workshops and studios to explore she didn't know which direction to head in first…
The city was abandoned after it was officially condemned in the 1930s because of the fear that the cliffs it was built on could no longer support it. But in the 1960s artists took over the ruins, setting up spaces to create and show their work. Some even moved into spaces behind or above their workrooms, and after the government reversed its order of condemnation, the town was really brought back to life.
It's all laid out on terraces enclosed within the city walls. At first Girlawhirl thought she'd get impossibly lost, but for all their twists and turns the narrow winding medieval streets all lead to a central square with an ancient church. With tearooms, antique shops, and restaurants in addition to all the art, Calcata is a daytrip
(about 40 km outside of the city) with a completely different vibe from the busy streets of Rome. 
photo courtesy of Lazio by Ehvviva07, CC lic. (2006)
Students, artists groups and painters from Rome routinely visit Calcata to sit outside and paint the landscapes and surrounding countryside. And there's an active cultural organization that keeps everything true to the artistic vision of the community. To find out more click here.
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| Jun 18, 2007: | Girlawhirl gets lost in the streets of Trastevere in Rome. read full entry |
| Nov 28, 2005: | Florence Top 5. read full entry |
| Nov 22, 2005: | When in Rome…. read full entry |