Duration: 2-3 days.
Itinerary:
San Fele – Rionero in Vulture
Distances:
A) Lavello – San Fele
67km | 50 minutes
B) Lavello – Rionero in Vulture
25km | 25 minutes
The Cascades of San Fele and Rionero in Vulture
Cascades of San Fele
From the heart of the Lucanian Apennines flows the Bradanello Stream, which merges into the Atella stream and then into the Ofanto river, finally reaching the Adriatic Sea. The watercourse crosses the territory of the municipality of San Fele, in the province of Potenza, where it is forced to face numerous changes in altitude, creating a series of fascinating altitude drops that give life to the system of the Cascades of San Fele. The waterfalls are named “U uattenniere,” a dialect term that defines the “Fulling Mill,” a machine used in the ancient factories of the area, built over time right next to the waterfalls to exploit the power of the water, which, diving, set in motion blades that, in turn, operated hammers that beat the woven wool. There is the possibility to rent electric bikes and quads. Those who wish to retrace the history of these splendid territories, discover the deep bond between its inhabitants and the waters that run through them, and admire the spectacle of the magnificent leaps made by the Cascades of San Fele can take advantage of the opportunity to indulge in several interesting treks along the course of the Bradano stream. The site has been completely redeveloped and restored to its ancient splendor and can be pleasantly explored through numerous hiking trails with different characteristics that adapt to every level of training.
Rionero
From Lavello, we will move to Rionero, a town at the foot of Mount Vulture, following the trails of the Brigands. The Museum of Brigandage is housed in a structure that originated as the Granary of the Convent “Santa Maria degli Angeli” of Atella in 1443 and served as a rural farmhouse, as well as a storage for food supplies. With the arrival of Napoleon Bonaparte, the structure was confiscated from the Church and passed into the hands of the state to become a prison and remained so until 1967. Throughout its history, the structure has been renovated and rebuilt several times, serving various purposes including a small hospital during periods of malaria and earthquakes. The building houses the museum section related to the men and women of brigandage. Through touch screens, it is possible to access extensive research conducted by the University of Salerno, which narrates the history of brigandage. The objects, furnishings, and clothing are faithful reconstructions of the era.
