No wonder Hayao Miyazaki chose this place as the inspiration for "Castle in the Sky". It embodies both the romanticism of a fairy tale and the weight of historical accumulation.

Finally, on the ninth day of the trip, we arrived at the long-awaited "Castle in the Sky" - Civita di Bagnoregio.

From afar, the entire city stands alone atop a cliff, resembling a floating island from a Hayao Miyazaki anime. A gauzy mist swirls around the foot of the mountain, leaving one stunned at first glance. Is this a real-life scenic spot or a gateway to a fairy tale world?

Locals call it "the disappearing city", which sounds very solemn and stirring. Only after learning about it do you realize how heart-wrenching it is.

2500 years ago, the Etruscans chose volcanic tuff to build their city. Little did they know that the mountain would "shrink" at a rate of 7 centimeters every year. Coupled with the ravages of plagues and the devastating earthquake in 1695, all residents moved to the neighboring town of Bagno Reggio. Now, only 12 "stubborn holdouts" remain in the entire city.

What's more interesting is that it is the birthplace of St. Bonaventure, a Catholic saint. In the West, it is even dubbed the "dying city" and listed among the globally endangered sites.

But because it was abandoned and remained untouched by modern development, its medieval appearance has been preserved intact. Even "Pinocchio" once used this place as a filming location, making it a veritable open-air museum with a built-in storytelling atmosphere.

To enter the ancient city, one must cross a 300-meter-long elevated pedestrian bridge, where the entire journey imparts a sense of ritual that transcends time and space.

Upon stepping onto the bridge, the hustle and bustle of the modern town behind me instantly paused. Looking ahead, the medieval Santa Maria Gate stood quietly at the bridgehead. The wind carried the scent of vegetation, and even my breathing became lighter.

Walking on the bridge, I couldn't help but fantasize. If the Etruscans 2500 years ago knew that their homeland would gradually "disappear", would they also sigh with a sense of melancholy?

The moment you step into the ancient city, time seems to truly stand still.

Beneath your feet lies a polished and uneven stone pavement, flanked by mottled stone houses that date back millennia. The criss-crossing alleys resemble a maze, where a random turn can reveal a pleasant surprise.

The stone lion sculptures on the arches of Santa Maria del Fiore still retain their medieval grandeur, while the Santa Donato Church on the main square exudes a simple and solemn atmosphere. It is said that traditional donkey racing events are held here. After fantasizing about the scene of donkeys racing, I suddenly feel that the Middle Ages also had a vibrant life

The stone lion sculptures on the arches of Santa Maria del Fiore still retain their medieval grandeur, while the Santa Donato Church on the main square exudes a simple and solemn atmosphere. It is said that traditional donkey racing events are held here. After fantasizing about the scene of donkeys racing, I suddenly feel that the Middle Ages also had a vibrant life.

Be sure to visit the observation deck by the cliff. Before you lies a "bad land" landscape, eroded into thousands of gullies and ravines. It is desolate yet magnificent, with sunlight shining on the gullies, creating alternating light and dark areas, resembling an abstract painting.

Standing here, I truly understand the meaning of "disappearing" - the mountain beneath my feet is still slowly collapsing, but Italy began the "Civita Project" in the 1980s to protect it.

As the wind brushes against my cheek, it seems as if I can hear the contest between history and nature. That fragile yet stubborn vitality is more unforgettable than any beautiful scenic spot.

As the evening approached, the setting sun painted the ancient city with a warm yellow hue, making it appear even more gentle in the twilight, and the floating atmosphere also seemed particularly tender.

The most beautiful beauty is not flawless perfection, but the way one persists in striving even when fully aware of their vulnerability.

This place is truly worth adding to the list of must-visit destinations in life!