By car.
From the Tyrrhenian coast: traveling along the A3 Salerno-Reggio Calabria highway, exit at Sicignano and take the Basentana (SS 407) state road link to Potenza, which will be reached after about 48 kilometers.
To get to Matera, continue on the Basentana road for other 74 kilometers, then take the state road for Matera (SS 7); the town will be reached after about 30 kilometers.
The Basentana state raod continues until Metaponto and ends on the SS Jonica 106 Taranto-Sibari.

From the Adriatic coast: traveling along the A14 Bologna-Taranto highway (Autostrada adriatica), at Foggia take the route for Candela (where there is also the conncetion with the A16 Naples-Bari highway) and continue for Melfi and Potenza.
From the A14 Bologna-Taranto highway you can reach also Matera taking the exit for 'Bari Nord' and then travelling along the SS 96 in direction Altamura (for about 60 kilometers).

By railway.
From the Tyrrhenian coast: a route that goes across Basilicata, connecting Potenza with Taranto, leaves from the 'Ferrovie dello Stato' railway station of Battipaglia (Napoli-Reggio Calabria line).

From the Adriatic coast: it is possible to reach Potenza through the Foggia-Potenza line; Matera can be reached with 'Ferrovie Appulo Lucane (FAL)' railways. The Jonian coast is crossed by the 'Ferrovie dello Stato' line Taranto-Sibari.

By airplane.
From the Tyrrhenian coast: Potenza-Napoli Capodichino - about 159 Km.

From the Adriatic coast: Matera-Bari Palese - about 64 Km.

Maratea - Night life in Maratea.
Maratea supplies its tourists with a wide choice of things to do in the evening.

While having an aperitif near the harbour and eating an ice cream or a traditional cake in the central square, a tourist can have a walk along the old main street or watch one of the many concerts or theatre performances that Maratea offers.

Those who like shopping can go window shopping for handicraft products and traditional food.

An evening can end in a disco along the Maratea Coast; among which there are Santo Janni and the disco of the Pianeta Maratea.

Pignola - Sellata Ski Station.
About 20 km far from Potenza, in the Abriola area, it is located in the tourist resort of Sellata-Pierfaone.

Its wonderful position with an extraordinary view and its equipment make it one of the most skiing resorts in the region.

Sellata can be reached from Potenza through a direct road that, passing through Pignola, goes up to the height of 1,255 metres.

In this area there are two chair lifts called ‘Pierfaone’ (1,500 metres long) that serve rather challenging slopes. Higher up there is a cross-country skiing area.

The ski station is plunged in the wonderful green frame of the Basilicata woods, that reach the top of the Volturino Mountain and Fossa Cupa and Arioso springs, towards Pietra del Tasso and the famous Sanctuary of the Madonna dei Saraceni.

Pignola - The Air Base of Pantano Lake.
The Air Base of Pantano Lake is amongst the most beautiful ones in Italy. It started working in 1991.

Beside the landing strip, this place has an important sports centre with five-a-side football and tennis fields, skating rinks, two covered swimming pools and a good restaurant.

Inside this centre, families and visitors can practice several activities, such as attend a flying school for flying ultra light planes, let their children play in the well-equipped playgrounds and taste the specialties of the restaurant. The Air Base is 600 metres long and is in the plain of Pignola.

Its beauty is increased by the presence of a winch for sailplanes: a facility that few Italian air bases have.

Senise - Sport on the Senise Lake.
On the shores of the Senise Lake a beautiful sports centre was created a few years ago. It has increased the value of the social and economic activities of this area.

This centre is so well equipped that it can offer football fields, five-a-side football fields, basket, tennis and volleyball fields.

Beside these traditional sports there are some more exclusive ones, such as rowing, canoe and sailing through very beautiful water courses created on the shores of this artificial lake. Because of this peculiarity the ‘Federazione Nazionale dei Canottieri Lucani’ has chosen the Senise Lake as site for some important national rowing events, hosting athletes from the whole of Italy.

Trecchina - Karting.
At the foot of Trecchina, in a wide valley, there is a modern and well-equipped karting track.

The track is 656 metres long and can be used for 160 cc. and 270 cc. karts.

This structure offers other facilities, such as a cafe’ and a restaurant that is now being enlarged.

Here tourists can have a sporting day in Trecchina wood.

Regattas are even more evocative because of the beautiful landscape of the ‘Parco Nazionale del Pollino’ and match together sport and nature in a wonderful pair of health and environment.

Bernalda-Metaponto - Golf Centre.
Into an agricultural farm of 80 ectars, this golf centre has not changed the original aspect of the places: 18 points enveloping in fruits , wine trees and mediterranean vegetation.

How to get:
Autostrada A14 Bologna-Taranto (Highway), go right to the Statale 106 Jonica (Jonian State Highway), direction Reggio Calabria go right until Metaponto, then get the Provincial Way to Matera, after about three kilometres, take the way to Pizziche - Golf Club Metaponto.

Policoro - Moto Club Herakleia.
L’avventura del mondo classico e il rombo tutto moderno delle due ruote. Un connubio apparentemente impossibile, eppure c’è un filo doppio che lega gli eroi di un tempo agli appassionati di rombi poderosi, cromature e carene scintillanti. E’ lo spirito di libertà, il piacere di andare ovunque, sfidando marciapiedi, sabbia, fango e lunghe code formate da scatole di latta a quattro ruote. La profonda passione per la libertà e l’amicizia lega gli oltre ottanta soci (dati all’atto della costituzione – Gennaio 2006) del motoclub “Herakleia” di Policoro, un nome che nasce proprio nel ricordo dei fasti della Magna Grecia (nel V secolo Policoro si chiamava così), quando l’uomo era più libero di esprimersi e creare; quando non esistevano le strade rotabili e la tecnologia, ma c’era la voglia di socializzare. Infatti, il motoclub Herakleia vuole essere soprattutto un’identità e un’apertura a chiunque risieda nell’antico bacino della Magna Grecia (da Taranto a Reggio Calabria) e ami senza limiti il mondo delle due ruote, dallo scooter alle potentissime stradali, all’enduro, passando per il cross. La nostra sede è a Policoro, l’antica Herakleia, fondata nel V secolo a. C. da Thuri e Taranto tra i fiumi Agri e Sinni, in prossimità della costa jonica, dopo che le due città erano entrate in conflitto per la spartizione del territorio appartenuto alla colonia greca di Siris. Quest’ultima, infatti, fondata nel VII secolo a.C. da Greci provenienti da Colofone, venne distrutta nel VI secolo a.C. dalle colonie achee di Metaponto, Crotone e Sibari. La città di Herakleia fu edificata sul colle di Policoro e nella pianura sottostante; ebbe immediatamente un notevole sviluppo urbanistico; fu sede nel IV secolo a. C. della Lega Italiota (contro l’avanzata dei popoli italici). Ad Herakleia nacque il celebre pittore Zeusi (IV secolo a. C.). Nel 280 a. C. nei pressi della città si svolse la battaglia fra Pirro e i Romani; dopo la seconda punica cominciò a decadere; nel 90 a. C. divenne municipio romano. Un importante contributo per la conoscenza della storia di Herakleia giunge dalle tavole bronzee scoperte casualmente nel 1732 che forniscono elementi riguardo le cariche pubbliche nella città nel corso del IV secolo a. C. Ma com’era un tempo la città di Herakleia? Aveva una conformazione simile a quella attuale, ovvero caratterizzata da un impianto urbanistico regolare di forma quadrangolare; gli assi viari assecondano la pendenza del terreno. Oggi dell’antica città, circondata da mura edificate nel IV a. C., si possono ammirare i resti di un tempio, di un santuario dedicato a Demetra composto da edifici di modeste dimensioni da cui proviene materiale votivo e resti di abitazioni e di fornaci dove si producevano oggetti ex voto di terracotta e ceramica di uso domestico. Il motoclub Herakleia apre le porte a tutti coloro che amano l’odore della benzina, le mosche in faccia e il piacere di stare insieme condividendo una passione senza tempo, limiti d’età e pregiudizi. Vienici a trovare o contattaci.

History.
The very ancient land known as Basilicata was already inhabited in the prehistoric age. The settlements of Venosa and the Bradano Valley date from the Paleolithic period while the organized agricultural villages around Matera and Melfi sprang up during the Neolithic period. From that time until the Bronze Age the region became an important centre of communication between the Jonian and Tyrrhenian populations, giving rise to important settlements. The inland regions began to be populated during the Iron Age. It was during this phase that many Indo-Europeans arrived in Lucania, among whom the Liky from the Illyrian coast. In the 8th century B.C. Greek colonies landed on the Lucanian shores of the Jonian Sea. This historic event gave birth to that flowering civilization that will be remembered in history as the Magna Graecia. Metaponto, Siris and Heraclea are the most important settlements. Between the 6th century and the 5th century B.C. certain Osco-Sabellic tribes came down from the Irpinia, while the Lucanians settled the more inland regions. Later, in the 5th and 4th centuries B.C., the Lucanians attacked the Greek colonies along the Jonian coast in their quest for new land to cultivate. Meanwhile, between the 4th century and 3rd century B.C., the Romans pushed their way into Lucania as they continued their expansion. At first the Lucanians were allied with the Romans against the Samnites. Later, not wanting to yield to Roman domination, they allied themselves with the Samnites and the Greek colony in Taranto to combat the Romans. Meanwhile, in 291 B.C., Venusia (today Venosa) becomes the first Roman colony in Lucanian territory. The Romans fight against Pyrrhus who was rushing to the aid of the Greek colonies, and loose a battle that took place between the areas of Metaponto and Heraclea (today Policoro), which became famous for the heavy losses incurred on both sides. In the northeast, Roman domination increases: the town of Grumentum (today Grumento) is founded and the road that connects Grumentum to Venusia is constructed (Via Herculia). 280 B.C. witnesses the end of Magna Graecia. In the 2nd century B.C. Lucania is under Roman domination. The proud and warlike Lucanians rebel against Rome, which had decided to impose landed estates, but are defeated. From 27 B.C. to 14 B.C., under the Augustan Empire, Lucania is divided into two parts and unified with Apulia, the Regio II, and with Brutium, the Regio III. At the end of the 3rd century Dioclesian reunites the area, unifying it with Brutium. With the decline of the Western Roman Empire the region sinks back into deep isolation, which destroys the already impoverished economy. We are in the Middle Ages. Between the 6th century and the 9th century, the Longobards annex Lucania (with the exception of the Byzantine possessions in the region of Matera) to the Duchy of Benevento. The Byzantines, gathered in Lucania in their effort to escape religious persecution in the Orient, give life to the phenomenon of the Rupestrian (rock) Churches. They proliferate on the Murgia of Matera. Meanwhile, the Saracen invasions force the Lucanians to retreat to the surrounding mountains and hills. Between the 8th century and the 9th century, Matera is annexed to the Duchy of Benevento, while the rest of the region passes under Byzantine domination. In the 11th century and 12th century the Normans conquer Lucania, making it the centre of Italian political life. In 1059, Melfi is the capital of the Norman realm. When Norman domination ends, the Swabians and Angevins compete for control of Lucania and southern Italy. Frederick II of Swabia is born. In 1231, in Melfi, he enacts the Constitutiones Utriusque Regni Sicilae (the Constitutions of the Two Sicilies). At the end of the 13th century the Angevins control the Realm of Naples and the Two Sicilies. Feudalism has begun, during which time many Lucanian lordships spring up and which the Aragonese attempt to oppose. The Barons, faithful to the Angevins, try to overthrow the Aragonese Reign and the 'Congiura dei baroni' (baron conspiracy) is planned in the Miglionican Castle in 1441. Between the 13th century and the 16th century Bourbon power consolidates. Certain Albanian communities arrive in Basilicata, settling along the slopes of Vulture and the Pollino Massif. In 1663, Matera is the capital of the Lucanian Province of the Kingdom of Naples. This period witnesses the beginning of bloody rebellions by peasants against the barons who exploit the land, forcing the population into famine. In 1707, the Austro-Sabaudian army occupies Lucania, and after the Treaties of Utrecht and Rastadt it passes into the hands of Charles VI of Austria. The Bourbons return to power with the Peace Treaty of Aquisgrana. In 1799 a peasant rebellion is repressed with mass executions. Then power passes briefly to the French, who after a short time are forced to return it again to the Bourbons. A part of the Lucanian bourgeoisie adheres to the 'Moti carbonari' (Carbonari uprisings). Between 1861 and 1868 the entire region is affected by the phenomenon of Brigantaggio (banditry), rebellions against power generated by the extreme isolation of the population and which finds its ideal habitat in the thick woods of Mount Vulture. The beginning of the 20th century, in 1902, sees the first meeting of Socialists in Potenza. Poverty has reached unacceptable levels and the phenomenon of emigration begins, reaching its high point in 1913. In 1943, Matera is the first southern Italian province to rebel against Nazi-Fascist occupation. When World War II ends, it becomes necessary to tackle the problem of the 'Sassi of Matera' (ancient rock dwellings) which, because of overpopulation, had become a health risk. In 1952, a state law decrees the evacuation of the Sassi district. During the same period 'Riforma Fondiaria' (land reform) begins and transforms the face of the region. Unfortunately, emigration damages the communities of Basilicata since it provokes a progressive demographic impoverishment. The 1980 earthquake in Irpinia creates serious problems in the entire northern region and in the capital Potenza. The University of Basilicata is established in Potenza in 1984, which a few years later opens a campus in Matera. In 1986, the Italian government enacts a law to finance the restoration of the Sassi of Matera, which is still being carried out among a multitude of problems. At the beginning of 1994, UNESCO declares the Sassi of Matera 'heritage of humanity to be handed down to future generations' and counts it among the territories under its protection. FIAT establishes an enormous factory in the industrial zone of S. Nicola of Melfi. In the same year the National Park of Pollino is established.

Basilicata or Lucania.
Culture and Folklore.
An Artistic Profile.
Archaeology.
Handicraft.

The castles.
Of the many feudal castles that existed in the region, only isolated towers and ruins have survived.

In this chapter, we will recommend a visit to the best preserved and most interesting ones.

Province of Potenza.
Province of Matera.

Basilicata is a land so rich in culinary traditions that it offers a great deal to anyone interested in wine and food. Pride of the region, Lucanian cuisine is traditionally an intelligent blending of simple and genuine products, far from the sophisticated, elaborated modern cooking. It is important to consider that only olive oil is used in the preparation of most dishes, while butter is used rather like cheese. Despite the similarities with certain dishes from adjacent regions, the originality of the Lucanian cuisine lies in its capacity to extract flavours from the simplest ingredients and to blend seasonings in such a way as to enhance the flavour of even the poorest dishes. Vegetables are often enjoyed as a first course, either alone or accompanied by legumes or pasta: fava beans and chicory; almond skins with turnip tops; field chicory in broth. Legumes, cereals, vegetables and aromatic herbs form the basis of foods that are characterized by a strong, yet harmonious flavour. Pasta traditionally made by hand using only hard-grain flour, salt and water is a Lucanian invention. In his 6th Satire, Horace, the Latin poet born in Venosa in 65 B.C., tells the story of returning to his native village to eat the 'Lucanian' soup made of chickpeas and leeks. According to gastronomic experts, this is the first written reference to pasta. The choice of hand-made pasta is almost unlimited in the region and comes in various shapes and forms locally known as: fusilli, lagane, maccaroni, capunti, cavatelli, calzoni (folded-over pizza), orechiette ('little ears'), strascinati, etc. Cheeses are a recurrent motif on the table. They are all of optimum quality, above all those derived from goat's milk. The Lucanian 'pecorino', a blend of 70% sheep's milk and 30% goat's milk which is aged from three months to one year is an exceptionally flavourful cheese. Other cheeses still produced by traditional methods are equally interesting: ricotta, burrata, mozzarella, scamorza, manteca, various provolas (fresh buffalo-milk cheese), caciocavallo (gourd-shaped cheese from southern Italy) and cacioricotta. The creation of a mark to guarantee the origin of some of the goat cheeses is currently being considered. Another Lucanian gastronomic invention is a sausage known in Italy as 'lucanica' or 'lucanega'. Already known in ancient Rome, its flavours were celebrated by Apicio, Cicero, Marziale and Varrone. Excellent qualities are produced in all of the inland areas of Basilicata and they can be eaten fresh or dried or even preserved in olive oil or lard. 'Sopressate', pork sausages cut with the point of a knife, dried and preserved in extra-virgin olive oil are an excellent example of careful production. If possible, try to taste the so-called 'pezzenta', derived from pork scraps, or the sausages in lard. Meats traditionally used are mutton and goat and are grilled, braised or baked. Their preparation requires considerable cooking skills in determining the correct proportion of ingredients and in timing the cooking. 'U cutturidd' (braised mutton), an old, traditional shepherd's dish, is prepared in a ‘terra-cotta’ recipient (as tradition requires) or in heavy aluminum pans. 'Ragu di carne' (meat sauce), an ideal condiment for many kinds of pasta, is prepared by using three different kinds of meat (lamb, pork and kid). Meat is usually browned and then cooked in a seasoned tomato sauce. The result is an exceptionally delicious dish. Bread is still an essential part of the Lucanian table. Many varieties are produced, all made of hardgrain flour, yeast, salt and water. It is baked in the many existing wood-burning ovens found throughout the region. The characteristic of this bread is the golden colour and fragrant flavour, which remains even several days after its preparation. Peperoncino (hot red pepper), widely used in the region, is always added in correct proportions to remain pleasant even to those who do not enjoy highly-seasoned food. Another particularity is the 'lampascioni', a variety of wild onion having a distinctive flavour. They are eaten alone or in combination with other dishes. We must also point out the existence of optimum mineral waters which flow from springs along the slopes of Mount Vulture and are characterized by incomparable organoleptic and curative powers. In Potenza there is a particular 'gassosa' (fizzy drink) that should not be missed. Seasonal fruit cheers up every good Lucanian table: citrus fruit, strawberries, raspberries, peaches, pears and grapes are only some of the varieties cultivated on the plains around Matera. Traditional regional desserts are made with simple ingredients, combined in a most original way: such as the 'calzoncelli', a sweet filled with chickpeas mixed with sugar and bitter cocoa, or such as the 'sanguinaccio', prepared with pork's blood, cooked must, dark chocolate, raisins, lemon rind, cinnamon and sugar. These products, prepared primarily for home consumption, are not easy to find. The vast majority of these dishes and products can be found in nearly all of the restaurants in the region.

The Wines of Basilicata.
Lucanian’s Olive Oil.