The little known southern Italian area of Basilicata has neighbouring Campania on the west, Puglia (Apulia) on its east border, and Calabria on its southern end. It enjoys a short coastline on the Tyrrhenian Sea and yet another on the Gulf of Taranto in the Ionian Sea to the southeast.

While this might not be the top of your list of places you might want to visit on a holiday in Italy, the area undoubtedly has its own unique charm which is gradually being appreciated by visitors who are eager to avoid the more crowded areas of Italy.

Basilicata boasts breathtaking scenery amidst arid mountains, with inland villages set high on the hills, in a place seemingly frozen in time. The beach resorts of Marina di Pisticci, Lido di Scanzano, Lido di Policoro and Lido di Metaponto can be found along the beautiful coastline. Medieval art and numerous important remains of the Roman Era can be viewed in Venosa.

Potenza and Matera are the two provinces that make up Basilicata and both are well worth a visit.

Matera and the Sassi

Located in Matera, the Ridola National Museum is home to Paleolithic relics and ceramics that date back to the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron ages. On the outskirts of the city are unique ancient settlements called sassi, which are designated, as a World Heritage Site. These well-preserved settlements were cut out of rock; there are more than 100 rock churches dating from Greek-Byzantine Monastic civilizations.

Noted sassi, which are well worth a visit, include Montescaglioso, which has the majestic medieval Abbey of St. Angelo; Miglionico, noted for its excellent Norman castle; Irsina, noted for the 12th century Monastery of S. Francesco, its crypt displays beautiful frescoes; Tricarico, which is home to many medieval religious edifices; Pisticci, noted for its tiers of white houses; and Tursi, which sits above the Sinni River valley, and the nearby lone church of S. Maria d’Anglona.

Staying in the rock dwellings of Matera is a unique experience. Hotel Sant’Angelo comprises 16 historical dwellings that have been renovated into living areas and include all of today’s modern conveniences. Staying in the old town in one of the many B&Bs gives you the opportunity to meet the locals and enjoy delicious regional cuisine.

Potenza

The capital city of Basilicata, Potenza, pre-dates the Roman Empire. Its Saint Gerard Cathedral was reconstructed in the late 1700’s. An important prehistoric collection lies in the city’s Provincial Archeological Museum that contains an interesting ethnographic section and numerous Greek and Roman treasures including the Tempietto and the Statunina di Presefone.

One of Potenza province’s most historic towns, Rivello, is located on a strategic ridge that sits above the Noce Valley. Mount Sirino is home to a captivating blend of Longobard and Byzantine architecture. Others sites worthy of a tour are the Convent of Sant’Antonio da Padova and Santa Barbara’s Church. The Byzantine Church of San Michele dei Greci is well-known for its Neapolitan school polyptych, which dates back to 1614.

The northern part of Potenza province possesses fertile soils, allowing premium quality grapes and olives to be cultivated there. It is here that the two breath-taking lakes of Monticchio can be found within an old volcano. The lakes are close to the two castles of Frederick II of Swabia at Castel Lagopesole and Melfi, and the Norman Santa Lucia Church located in Rapolla. The Abbey of the Trinit