1. The Vulture: Between nature and breath-taking landscapes
One of the most beautiful naturalistic areas north of Basilicata, famous for the Aglianico del Vulture DOC, recognized nationally and internationally for its tastiness, this area is also the place where mineral waters and valuable natural effervescent water gush out.
A place of attraction for nature and sports lovers, who can try their hand either in trekking (on foot or on horseback) by bike or by motorbike, the Vulture is also home to the splendid Lakes of Monticchio, formed inside the center of the volcano, which offer an extraordinary landscape and the opportunity to spend moments of absolute relaxation.
A tour with the boat on the small lake or on the big lake, in the footsteps of Crocco for paths that climb up to the splendid abbey of San Michele to spend an unforgettable day.
2. The San Fele Waterfalls
A few kilometers from the Resort we find a magical place: the San Fele waterfalls.
Created along the Bradano Torrent, these wonders that nature offers us are scattered along a path about 8 km long. You will be enchanted by their shapes and you will be amazed to meet ancient mills and ancient bridges in a location of great interest for those who love nature. This enchanted place is accessible and can be visited at any time of the year.
3. Lavello and his Domino: a very special carnival.
The Carnival of Lavello, an ancient tradition, is one of the most distinctive of the entire region.
Every Saturday evening, in the period between 17 January and the following Saturday to the day of the Ashes, in fact the “festini” come to life in Lavello.
In these attractive places set up just for the Carnival, until the morning, they gather to dance masked groups that hide their identity behind the “Domino”, the typical mask of the Lavellese Carnival. In addition to the long red satin tunic, these characters wear a hood and a cape that covers the shoulders and arms. In effect, the colour of the mask is different in tone, once it varied according to the social class of the wearer.
4. Venosa, land of Orazio
It is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, home of the Latin poet Quinto Orazio Flacco and the renaissance “Madrigalista” Carlo Gesualdo Di Venosa. Venosa is a beautiful town that was born on a plateau between two valleys and is surrounded by lush vegetation and numerous hills.
Every monument, every street, every alley of the city is an expression of the culture that over the centuries has permeated the city of Orazio, giving birth to inestimable artistic and architectural jewels.
To visit the church of the Trinity and the annexed Incompiuta with the tombs of illustrious Norman nobles, the castle Pirro del Balzo, home of the National Archaeological Museum, the Jewish necropolis and the nearby archaeological park of Notarchirico, among the oldest in Europe. Going through the stone-paved streets offers a sensation of continuous discovery and surprise.
5. Melfi the federician
Capital of the Norman kingdom, Melfi is the Federician city par excellence for the political role conferred on it by Emperor Frederick II of Svevia. Immersed in the splendid landscape of Vulture Melfese, the Federician city has a unique city wall in southern Italy, surrounded entirely by ancient Norman walls with watch towers. Melfi is a treasure trove of cultural and sacred beauties to be discovered.
To visit, in addition to the Castle, the Diocesan Museum, the Venosina Gate, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the mystical cave churches of Santa Margherita and Santa Lucia.
Da visitare, oltre al Castello, il Museo Diocesano, la Porta Venosina, la Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta e le mistiche chiese rupestri di Santa Margherita e Santa Lucia.
6. Lagopesole Castle
Those who visit Basilicata can not but visit Castel Lagopesole, undoubtedly the most beautiful, magical and mysterious of the whole Region, where the spirit of the great Federico II still lingers.
Last of the castles built by the Swabian Emperor, it has a rectangular plan that moves it away from the hexagon, a classical figure adopted in the period of Frederick II. Because of its position, on the road to Puglia, it constituted a stop and an increase in hunting, the king’s great passion.
The narrating museum, housed inside, with large projections on the internal walls of the court on the rhythm of a dynamic and intense narration, accompany the visitor in the evening hours on an ideal journey through time. An experience definitely to do.
7. Matera, the city of the Sassi (Stones)
European Capital of Culture 2019, Matera is a city that cannot be simply described, it must be absolutely visited. The thrilling spectacle of the Sassi pervades the soul, captures the eye and takes the visitor back in time. Getting lost in its narrow streets and stairways makes the visit a continuous succession of emotions and surprises. Inestimable artistic, cultural and archaeological value among rock churches, Byzantine frescoes, hypogea that are the soul of this enchanting place, which in the evening reminds a lot of a living nativity scene. Film set of many films, it will remain in your heart.
8. The Lucanian Dolomites. Castelmezzano, Pietrapertosa and Sasso di Castalda
Between Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa one flies “hanging by a thread” and with bated breath, enjoying a truly spectacular panorama. Sixty seconds of adrenaline at a speed of around 120 km/h will jolt your holiday. This experience is called Flight of the Angel but it is not the only thing you can do in these two locations. Trekking, rafting and climbing routes are just some of the sports that you can practice in these places. If you do not want to fly but the height does not scare you can walk suspended at 120 meters on a Tibetan bridge (Bridge to the moon). All this is possible in Sasso di Castalda, another unmissable stop on your journey for all the adventurous.
9. Metaponto and Policoro: The perfect union between sea and history
Gems of the Ionio for the splendid crystalline sea are Metaponto and Policoro, famous not only for the beaches but also for being in the past city of Magna Graecia. In fact, important archaeological finds are present in Metaponto, both within the marvelous Archaeological Park, where the sacred part of the city is visible with the ruins of the temples of Athena, Apollo, Hera and Aphrodite and inside the village with the remains of the houses and of the great theatrical system. To visit the Archaeological Museum, which preserves the numerous findings come to light in the surrounding area and the sanctuary of Hera, called “Tavole Palatine”. In Policoro there is an Archaeological Park, with inside the very rich National Museum of Siritide, where you can see the ruins of the temple dedicated to Demeter and the regular urban layout of the city near which the famous battle between Pirro and the Romans took place .
10. Craco, Aliano and the Calanchi (Gullies)
A paradise of nature and biodiversity in which walking will do well to the body and the spirit. Between centuries-old woods and breath-taking views it will be possible, according to the seasons, to ski, trekking and rafting but also to have fun in the numerous adventure parks with a naturalistic theme. On the highest peaks you can admire the Loricato Pine, which grows solitary on the most impervious rocky walls, and the rare specimens of royal eagles in flight. A unique place for lovers of the wildest and most untouched nature. To visit “the garden of the gods”, one of the most fascinating and seductive places of all the Massif, without forgetting the peculiarities such as the panoramic carousel of San Severino Lucano, a place to visit and where to taste typical dishes.
11. The National Pollino Park: Between adventure and sport
Un paradiso di natura e biodiversità in cui passeggiare farà bene al corpo e allo spirito. Tra boschi secolari e panorami mozzafiato sarà possibile, in base alle stagioni, sciare, fare trekking e rafting ma anche divertirsi nei numerosi parchi avventura a tema naturalistico. Sulle vette più alte potrete ammirare il Pino Loricato, che cresce solitario sulle pareti più impervie, ed i rarissimi esemplari di aquile reali in volo. Un luogo unico per gli amanti della natura più selvaggia ed incontaminata. Da visitare “il giardino degli dei”, uno dei luoghi più avvincenti e seducenti di tutto il Massiccio, senza dimenticare le particolarità come la giostra panoramica di San Severino Lucano, un luogo sicuramente da visitare e dove poter assaporare pietanze tipiche.
12. Maratea
Said the “Gem of the Tyrrhenian” for its wonderful sea. Its beaches, small and uncontaminated, are the expression of the purest beauty. A luxuriant Mediterranean vegetation surrounds the entire ancient village, small and perched on the mountain, at whose peak stands the monumental statue of Christ, symbol of the locality. An enchanted place between sea and mountain an essential stop of your stay in Basilicata.
