Potenza.
Potenza was built on a hill more than 800 metres high and it was inhabited since the IV century B.C. It was probably built as a consequence of the destruction of the close village of Serra di Vaglio, whose ruins are still visible. Its good geographic position made it an important crossroads in the Mediterranean, with the benefits of the Greeks influence.

Under the Roman domination, Potenza was first a prefecture, then an important municipality. S. Vito’s Bridge was built around that time (248-305 B.C.) and so was the Roman villa that the Malvaccaro Mosaic belonged to.

This town has a beautiful old centre with several churches, the Cathedral, the Castle Tower, and the Museum.

Every year in May an event called ‘Sfilata dei Turchi’ (Turks’ Parade) takes place.

This is one of the centres in Basilicata, together with Tito, Pignola, Vaglio and Trecchina, where the Gaul-Italian dialect is spoken. This probably depends on the migration (XIII century) of some peoples coming from areas in the North of Italy (Monferrato), that amalgamated together with the local communities (G. Rohlfs).