Half a century ago, the picturesque Sicilian town of Poggioreale was hit by an earthquake that caused most of its citizens to flee for good, even though many buildings remained standing. What they left behind has become one of Italy's largest ghost towns -- a place frozen at the exact time of the earthquake.

In the school, only part destroyed, pupils' scribblings are still on the chalkboard and a calendar on the wall marks the year: 1968. Outside, cobblestone streets lined with lavishly frescoed palazzos featuring decorated stone porches, majolica-tiled floors and Arab-style courtyards -- once the homes of wealthy farmers and landowners -- stand empty, save for a few stray dogs.