Basilicata

Basilicata, its ancient name was Lucania, and thhis is another of the in Southern Italian Regions. The region has a diverse landscape that ranges from that of the rugged Apennine mountains, the extinct volcano of Monte Vulture, and the beautiful coastlines along the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Gulf of Taranto.

The region has two provinces: Potenza and Matera.

The Sassi of Matera is world famous and hold a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. The Pollino National Park is the largest national park in Italy.

Some of the highlights noted for this Regiion include:

Matera: Known for its “Sassi di Matera”, traditional houses made with unique materials, and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Pollino National Park: This is the largest national park in Italy, it has prehistoric caves, cave drawings, burial sites, and natural hot springs. We have not been to the Park yet, but it is on our list.

Latronico: has the most important thermal springs in the Region.

Vulture Melfese Area: is known for panoramas and spectacular natural views.

Metaponto: was founded by the Greeks in the 7th century BC, it has pristine and fabulous beaches and an archaeological park with an ancient Greek theatre and a Doric temple.

Potenza is the capital city of Basilicata, with an old hisoric city centre beautiful palaces and church.

Montescaglioso: a scenic hilltop town overseeing the Bradano River valley.

 

Matera

Matera is considered the "pearl" of the Region, and it drew us, as with many others, to visit one of the oldest and still inhabited cities in the world. We have had two visit so far. Once just a day visit, the other were we book one of the hotels where the rooms are old caves. The hotel experience was worth it. You may not notice that much of a difference from a normal hotel excpet for two aspects. The only window light coming in is that from the door, and you can feel the humidity.

The Sassi of Matera, declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, is the best place to start your visit. There has been people living here on an ongoing basis dating back to the Palaeolithic era. The twin cliffs, known as the Sassi, are this historical basis of the town. The area began as caves, carved into the soft limestone. People were living in the caves without electricity or water or a sewage system. Over 20,000 people were moved out of the area into newly built apartments. But as attention was given, a cistern and sysem of collecting and distributing rainwater was found - it was not as primitive as may have been thought.

There are the remains of cave dwellings along the hills, and some of the cave dwellings are now hotels. We have stayed in one we enjoyed it.

The Sassi is the historic area in the valley. The Sassi have about twelve levels, all connected with paths and stairs. You can walk an endless network of old streets. Be prepared to climb stairs. Every stairway that goes down, goes up. The Piazzetta Pascoli Matera is a great vantage point - a balcony of the Sassi (the valley between the two hills).

There is a modern city above the valley that is pleasant and where you will find shops and restaurants.