Rooftops of Lauria, Basilicata
by Jesse Andrews


Beach at Sapri, Basilicata
by Jesse Andrews


Malfese woman, Basilicata


The sheer cliffs of Aliano

The Region of Basilicata
From Jesse's Journeys in Italy

Population: 597,768
Area:
9,995 km²
Capital City: 
Potenza
Provinces: Matera, Potenza
Official website: Basilicata
Wikipedia: Basilicata

Map: Basilicata

The name Basilicata takes its name from the Latin Basileus, meaning land of kings. The poets however, have always called it something different - Lucania - a more musical sounding word, evoking the memory of the now vanished Lucania people, whose dialect has lived on in many Basilicatan villages. 

Irrespective of whatever name this Italian province deserves, this area represents the essence of southern Italy. 

In this region people from the hills bond with those from the shores of the Ionian
sea and legendary Magna Graecia and Tyrrhenian coasts. 

Along the Tyrrhenian seaboard nature takes in both mountain and littoral, creating an inspiration that is increasingly being visited by enthusiastic holiday makers to view a meeting in man's history between east and west and a land which embraces every Italian landscape possible.

Each town in Basilicata, hangs on to its local culture, customs and traditions tightly.  Observable traditions, like the harvesting of grapes for example, can reveal an extraordinary richness in being, that can even surprise at times, the inhabitants of the area themselves who have grown up with them like they do visitors who only catch a glimpse of it. 

If you let your fantasy run wild while exploring the countryside in Basilicata, it is evident upon first glance that ancient customs and myths will never die out, in this land where nature takes first priority as man’s first and foremost protector and provider. 

Italy's Mezzogiorno
or afternoon as it is literally translated, with it sun that creates vivid contrasts on the earth's surfaces is realized in the province of Basilicata in which the sacred mountains begin their trek towards the tip of the Italian peninsula, dominating the skyline in solemnity and grandeur. 

Italy is, without question, realized to its full extent in Basilicata a land of between earth, sky, stars and trees.

Towns and Cities in
Basilicata

Aliano

Lauria

Maratea

Matera

Melfi

Metaponto
Potenza
Rivello
Venosa

Directions

By Car: Take the South from Naples or north from Reggio di Calabria.
Train: South from Naples or north from Reggion di Calabria.
Air: Fly to Rome or Naples, or to Lamezia.

Directory

 

 


Rivello church, Basilicata
by Jesse Andrews


Basilicata Coat of Arms

Contribute

Tell us about your trip to Basilicata.  What were your favorite places to visit, stay, and dine.  Contribute