Potenza Attractions

Potenza (819m/2,703ft), capital of the more westerly province and of the region of Basilicata, lies above the River Basento on a ridge between two valleys. It was severely damaged in an earthquake in 1857 and again during the Second World War, but has since largely been rebuilt. In the center of the old town (1980 further earthquake damage), on the main street, Via Pretoria, is the Piazza Matteotti; a little way to the northeast stands the 18th century cathedral. Just off the west end of the Via Pretoria rises the Romanesque church of San Michele (11th century). To the north of the town the Museo Archeologico Provinciale, with finds from tombs, architectural fragments from the temple of Apollo Lyceus at Metaponto, is worth visiting.