Basilicata: Rock Churches, Archaeology and Mountain Landscapes
Accommodation in Basilicata
The UNESCO World Heritage site The Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera is located in the southern Italian region of Basilicata.
Also Potenza is part of Basilicata.
Culture and history
The Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera comprises houses, churches, monasteries and hermitages built into the natural caves of the Murgia. The World Heritage site extends across the Murgia, a limestone plateau with deep gorges, rocks, caves, rock churches, shepherds’ paths lined with wells and fortified farmhouses.
The Venosa Archaeological Park preserves the monumental remains of ancient Venusia, founded in 291 BC. Its visitor route spans more than a millennium of history, from the Republican era to the Middle Ages. The park also includes a Roman thermal complex built in the 1st century AD and renovated until the beginning of the 4th century AD.
The Metaponto Archaeological Park preserves the monumental remains of a city founded by the Achaeans in the second half of the 7th century BC and is one of the major archaeological sites of Magna Graecia. Its sanctuary area contains remains of altars, small sanctuaries and important temples from the 6th and 5th centuries BC. The theater is considered unique in Magna Graecia because it was built on an artificial embankment.
The “Massimo Pallottino” National Archaeological Museum presents a topographically and chronologically structured tour through the history of the area, from the first settlement traces of the Archaic period to the modern era. For wheelchair users, the museum is accessible via a ramp, a lift and internal ramps. The Venosa Archaeological Park also provides a digital aid with interactive maps, audio content and information about the main monuments to help visitors find their way around and explore the site’s history in greater depth.
Tempa del Monte is located in the immediate vicinity of Basilicata and is an ancient site. Pantaleno, Tempa della Ginestra and Platola are also located in the immediate vicinity of Basilicata; they too are ancient sites.
Nature and landscape
Pollino National Park lies between Basilicata and Calabria and covers almost 200,000 hectares. Its peaks reach 2,200 meters above sea level. The natural area includes dolomite rock, rock faces, cliffs, deep gorges, plateaus, meadows and high-altitude pastures.
The mountains Monte Costa la Rossa, Monte dell'Impiso and Monte Malerba are located in the immediate vicinity of Basilicata. The Basilicata Coast-to-Coast route leads from the rocky Tyrrhenian coast to the dunes of the Ionian coast.
Activities
FrecciaLink connects Salerno and Matera with a single train-and-bus ticket. Along the way, there are intermediate stops at Potenza Centrale and Ferrandina-Scalo Matera.
The Lao is considered a preferred destination for rafting and canoeing because of its clear water and long stretch of gorge. During the Volo dell'Angelo, visitors are secured with a special harness and attached to a steel cable, creating a flight experience above the landscape.
Torre dell'Acquedotto - punto di osservazione, a lookout point, is located in the area surrounding Basilicata.
Wine and cuisine
The Basilicata Enotour offers walks through vineyards and the opportunity to learn about the history and wines of Basilicata in connection with the welcoming wineries of Movimento Turismo del Vino.
At the August festival Le giornate del Peperone di Senise. U Strittul ru Zafaran, visitors can sample peperoni cruschi in various culinary preparations.
To the higher-level travel overview: Italy.
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