Basilicata Attractions
The region of Basilicata or Lucania, consisting of the provinces of Potenza and Matera, lies in southern Italy. Most of it is occupied by the southern Neapolitan Apennines, with many rivers, mountain chains and table-land. The region is bounded in the north by Apulia, in the south by Calabria and in the west by Campania; it is open to the Tyrrhenian Sea in the Gulf of Policastro and to the Ionian Sea in the Gulf of Taranto. In spite of the relatively fertile soil, which yields wheat, maize, vines, olives and edible chestnuts, many of the inhabitants of the region still live in poverty.
History
Despite the establishment of Greek colonies and Hellenistic settlements on the coast of the Ionian Sea in the eighth-seventh century B.C. and the fact that the area was later Romanised, becoming Regio III of the Roman Empire, Basilicata remained throughout its history an area of only little consequence. The region suffered severe damage in an earthquake in November 1980.
History
Despite the establishment of Greek colonies and Hellenistic settlements on the coast of the Ionian Sea in the eighth-seventh century B.C. and the fact that the area was later Romanised, becoming Regio III of the Roman Empire, Basilicata remained throughout its history an area of only little consequence. The region suffered severe damage in an earthquake in November 1980.
Monte Vulture
From Rionero it is 6km/4mi northwest to Monte Vulture (1,330m/4,389ft), an extinct volcano visible from all over Apulia.
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Melfi, Italy
About 6km/4mi northwest of Rapolla, on a much-eroded lateral crater of Monte Vulture, is the little town of Melfi (531m/1,752ft; pop. 16,000), the market town of an extensive olive-growing area. It has a fine 12th century cathedral, modernized in 1851; adjoining it is the former Archbishop's Palace. The Norman castle above the town houses the Museo Nazionale Archeologico, which contains a magnificent Roman sarcophagus from Rapolla, made in Asia Minor of a Roman lady (A.D. 165-170).
Monticchio
10km/6mi west of Rionero are the two small lakes of Monticchio (in the double crater of an extinct volcano; 650m/2,145ft; 35-38m/116-125ft deep); on the smaller lake are the former Capuchin monastery of San Michele and a hydro-electric station. Between the two lakes are the ruins of the abbey of San Ippolito (12th century). 7km/4.5mi away, on the western slopes of the Monte Valtura, is the little spa of Monticchio Bagni (540m/1,782ft).
Rapolla
From Rionero the road continues north 9km/5.5mi to Rapolla (438m/1,445ft), a spa (recommended for rheumatism) with a beautiful Gothic cathedral.
Rionero in Vulture, Italy
There is a rewarding trip along the road which runs north via Castel Lagopesole (756m/2,495ft) with a well-preserved castle in Gothic style, built by Frederick II about 1242 on an eminence (829m/2,736ft) west of the former Lake Lagopesole to Rionero in Vulture (656m/2,165ft; pop. 12,500).
